Side airbag apparatus

ABSTRACT

An airbag of a side airbag apparatus includes an upstream inflation portion, which inflates by inflation gas, and deploys frontward at a side of a vehicle seat. An opening is provided at a wall portion of the upstream inflation portion. A pressure regulator valve closes before an occupant is restrained by the upstream inflation portion, thereby restricting the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion from flowing through the opening. Upon the occupant restraint, the pressure regulator valve cancels the restriction in response to a change in a tensed state of the dividing portion by an external force applied due to the restraint. A tear seam that connects valve body portions of the pressure regulator valve delays the opening time of the pressure regulator valve upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion relative to the opening time set only by the pressure regulator valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a side airbag apparatus that deploysand inflates an airbag at a side of an occupant seated in a seat of avehicle when an impact is applied to the vehicle from a side of thevehicle seat, and protects the occupant from the impact by the airbag.

A side airbag apparatus that includes an airbag and an inflator has beenwidely known. In a case where an impact is applied to a motor vehiclefrom a side of a vehicle seat on which an occupant is seated due to aside collision and the like, such a side airbag apparatus protects theoccupant from the impact. The airbag includes an inflation portion thatinflates by inflation gas generated by the inflator. The airbagincluding the inflation portion is installed in a side part of a seatback of the motor vehicle seat together with the inflator in a foldedstate.

In the above described side airbag apparatus, when an impact is appliedfrom a side to a motor vehicle configuring member (body side portion)configuring the side part of the motor vehicle, for example a side door,the inflation gas from the inflator is supplied to the inflation portionof the airbag. The airbag is inflated and deployed by the inflation gas,breaking the side part of the seat back, and is projected out from themotor vehicle seat in a state in which a part of the airbag is leftwithin the seat back. The airbag enters a space between the motorvehicle seat and the body side portion, and is inflated and deployedfrontward. The airbag is located between the occupant and the body sideportion entering toward a motor vehicle interior side to restrain theoccupant, and also to protect the occupant by reducing the impact fromthe side transmitted to the occupant through the body side portion.

An example of the side airbag apparatus is configured such that aninflation portion is divided into an upstream inflation portion, towhich inflation gas from an inflator is supplied, and a downstreaminflation portion adjacent to the upstream inflation portion by adividing portion, and that the dividing portion is provided with anopening and a pressure regulator valve (for example, see JP 2012-30614A).

The pressure regulator valve closes before an occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion, so as to restrict the inflation gas fromflowing to the downstream inflation portion from the upstream inflationportion through the opening. Therefore, internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion within the inflation portion mainlyincreases, and the upstream inflation portion is inflated and deployed.Further, upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion,the pressure regulator valve opens by an external force applied due tothe restraint. By this opening incident, the inflation gas in theupstream inflation portion flows out to the downstream inflation portionthrough the opening. By this flow-out incident, the internal pressure ofthe upstream inflation portion decreases and internal pressure of thedownstream inflation portion increases, whereby the downstream inflationportion is deployed and inflated.

By the aforementioned operation of the pressure regulator valve, aproperty of load that the occupant receives through the airbag can bemade to be suitable for appropriately restraining and protecting theoccupant, such that it reaches a predetermined value within a shortperiod of time and thereafter maintained at the predetermined value.

However, in the aforementioned side airbag apparatus, although thepressure regulator valve can be opened and closed according to arestraining circumstance of the occupant by the upstream inflationportion and cause the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion toflow out from the opening, the flow-out thereof is performed uniformly.If the flow-out of the inflation gas from the opening can be performedin various manners, it is expected that the performance of restrainingand protecting the occupant by the airbag is improved.

This applies similarly to a side airbag apparatus in which only theopening among the opening and pressure regulator valve is provided atthe dividing portion. Further, the above matter applies similarly to aside airbag apparatus in which the inflation portion is not divided bythe dividing portion and the opening and pressure regulator valve areprovided in a wall portion of the inflation portion, and it applies to aside airbag apparatus in which the inflation portion is not divided bythe dividing portion and only the opening among the opening and pressureregulator valve is provided on the wall portion of the inflationportion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention has been made in view of the above situations, and an aimthereof is to provide a side airbag apparatus that improves aperformance of restraining and protecting the occupant by an airbagthrough an improvement in a flow-out manner of inflation gas flowing outfrom a portion inflated within an inflation portion.

To achieve the foregoing objective and in accordance with a first aspectof the present invention, a side airbag apparatus that includes anairbag, a pressure regulator valve, and a time changing apparatus isprovided. The airbag includes an inflation portion that inflates byinflation gas supplied in response to an impact applied from a side to avehicle seat, and that deploys toward a front of the vehicle seat at aside of the vehicle seat. An opening is provided in a wall portionforming the inflation portion. The pressure regulator valve closesbefore an inflated part of the inflation portion restrains an occupantto restrict the inflation gas from flowing out from the inflated part ofthe inflation portion through the opening. When the inflated part of theinflation portion restrains the occupant, the pressure regulator valveopens in response to a change in a tensed state of the wall portion byan external force applied due to the restraint, thereby cancelling therestriction. The time changing apparatus changes an opening time of thepressure regulator valve upon the occupant restraint by the inflatedpart in the inflation portion to a time that is different from anopening time set only by the pressure regulator valve.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a sideairbag apparatus that includes an airbag, a pressure regulator valve,and an outflow amount apparatus is provided. The airbag includes aninflation portion that inflates by inflation gas supplied in response toan impact applied from a side to a vehicle seat, and that deploys towarda front of the vehicle seat at a side of the vehicle seat. An opening isprovided in a wall portion forming the inflation portion. The pressureregulator valve closes before an inflated part of the inflation portionrestrains an occupant to restrict the inflation gas from flowing outfrom the inflated part of the inflation portion through the opening.When the inflated part of the inflation portion restrains the occupant,the pressure regulator valve opens in response to a change in a tensedstate of the wall portion by an external force applied due to therestraint, thereby cancelling the restriction. Upon the occupantrestraint by the inflated part of the inflation portion, the outflowamount changing apparatus changes an amount of the inflation gas flowingout from the inflated part of the inflation portion to an outflow amountthat is different from an outflow amount in a case of the inflation gaspassing through only the opening.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a sideairbag apparatus that includes an airbag and a time changing apparatusis provided. The airbag includes an inflation portion that inflates byinflation gas supplied in response to an impact applied from a side to avehicle seat, and that deploys toward a front of the vehicle seat at aside of the vehicle seat. An opening is provided in a wall portionforming the inflation portion. The time changing apparatus changes atime at which the inflation gas starts to flow out through the openingwhen an inflated part of the inflation portion restrains an occupant toa time different from an outflow starting time in a case in which theinflation gas flows out from the opening without being obstructed by thewall portion.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, a sideairbag apparatus that includes an airbag and an outflow amount changingapparatus is provided. The airbag includes an inflation portion thatinflates by inflation gas supplied in response to an impact applied froma side to a vehicle seat, and that deploys toward a front of the vehicleseat at a side of the vehicle seat. An opening is provided in a wallportion forming the inflation portion. When an inflated part of theinflation portion restrains an occupant, the outflow amount changingapparatus changes an amount of the inflation gas flowing out from theportion in response to a change in an internal pressure of the inflationportion.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, a sideairbag apparatus that includes an airbag and an outflow amount changingapparatus is provided. The airbag includes an inflation portion thatinflates by inflation gas supplied in response to an impact applied froma side to a vehicle seat, and that deploys toward a front of the vehicleseat at a side of the vehicle seat. An opening is provided in a wallportion forming the inflation portion. When the inflated part of theinflation portion restrains an occupant, the outflow amount changingapparatus changes an amount of the inflation gas flowing out from theinflated part to an outflow amount that is different from an outflowamount in a case in which the inflation gas passes through only theopening.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, a sideairbag apparatus that includes an airbag and a pre-restraint flowing outapparatus is provided. The airbag includes an inflation portion thatinflates by inflation gas supplied in response to an impact applied froma side to a vehicle seat, and that deploys toward a front of the vehicleseat at a side of the vehicle seat. An opening is provided in a wallportion forming the inflation portion. Before the inflated part of theinflation portion restrains an occupant, the pre-restraint flowing outapparatus causes the inflation gas to start flowing out from the inflatepart.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat provided with a side airbagapparatus with an occupant, as a first embodiment of the side airbagapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a positional relationshipof the vehicle seat, the occupant, and a body side portion in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing an internalstructure of a seat back side part where an airbag module is assembledin the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the airbag module with an airbag in anon-inflated and deployed state in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing aninternal structure of the airbag taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing a state in whichthe airbag of FIG. 3 is projected out from the vehicle seat with a partthereof being remained in the seat back, while being deployed andinflated;

FIG. 7A is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an internalstructure of the airbag module of FIG. 4 together with the vehicle seatand the occupant;

FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a part of FIG. 7Ain enlarged manner;

FIG. 8 is a rear view showing a state in which a dividing portion of thefirst embodiment is tensed;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view showing a pressure regulator valvewhen the dividing portion is tensed in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 10A to 10C are cross-sectional side views schematically showing anoperation of the pressure regulator valve in the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of a second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of a third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of a sixth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of a seventh embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of an eighth embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of a ninth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of a tenth embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a partial rear view showing a pressure regulator valve of aside airbag apparatus of an eleventh embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the pressureregulator valve in the eleventh embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a pressureregulator valve of a side airbag apparatus in a twelfth embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a pressureregulator valve of a side airbag apparatus in a thirteenth embodiment;

FIG. 24A is a partial cross-sectional side view of a side airbagapparatus of a fourteenth embodiment, showing an internal structure ofan airbag module having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed statetogether with a vehicle seat and an occupant;

FIG. 24B is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a part of FIG.24A in enlarged manner;

FIGS. 25A to 25C are cross-sectional side views schematically showing anoperation of a pressure regulator valve in the fourteenth embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a partial rear view showing the pressure regulator valve ofthe fourteenth embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of afifteenth embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbag modulehaving an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state;

FIG. 28 is a rear view showing a state in which a dividing portion ofthe fifteenth embodiment is tensed;

FIG. 29 is a partial rear view showing a state in which a dividingportion is tensed in a side airbag apparatus of a sixteenth embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing an internalstructure of an airbag module of the sixteenth embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing an internalstructure of an airbag module in a side airbag apparatus of aseventeenth embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional side view schematically showing an internalstructure of an airbag module in a side airbag apparatus of aneighteenth embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of anineteenth embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbag modulehaving an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state;

FIG. 34 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectionalstructure of a dividing portion taken along line 34-34 in FIG. 33;

FIG. 35 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectionalstructure of the dividing portion taken along line 35-35 in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a partial perspective view showing a pressure regulator valvewhen the dividing portion is tensed in the nineteenth embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a rear view showing a state in which the dividing portion ofthe nineteenth embodiment is tensed;

FIG. 38 is a partial cross-sectional plan view schematically showing howthe pressure regulator valve closes in an upstream inflation portionduring inflation in the nineteenth embodiment;

FIG. 39 is a partial cross-sectional plan view schematically showing howthe valve body portions are inverted and closed in a downstreaminflation portion in the nineteenth embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a partial cross-sectional plan view schematically showing howthe pressure regulator valve opens in the downstream inflation portionby an external force generated by occupant restraint in the nineteenthembodiment;

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of atwentieth embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbag modulehaving an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state;

FIG. 42 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectionalstructure of a dividing portion taken along line 42-42 in FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of atwenty-first embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbagmodule having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state;

FIG. 44 is a rear view showing a state in which a dividing portion ofthe twenty-first embodiment is tensed;

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a side airbagapparatus of a twenty-second embodiment, showing an internal structureof an airbag module having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployedstate together with a part of an outer fabric portion of the airbag, avehicle seat and an occupant;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of atwenty-third embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbagmodule having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state togetherwith a part of an outer fabric portion of the airbag;

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional side view showing how a lid portion isextended and inflated outward of an inflation portion upon an occupantrestraint by the inflation portion in the twenty-third embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of atwenty-fourth embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbagmodule having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state;

FIG. 49 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing a redundantportion and a clip (retaining portion) in a side airbag apparatus of atwenty-fifth embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of atwenty-sixth embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbagmodule having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state togetherwith a part of an outer fabric portion of the airbag;

FIGS. 51A, 51B are partial front views showing how a woven fabricconfiguring a dividing portion of the twenty-sixth embodiment changes asize of a gap portion before and after an occupant restraint;

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of atwenty-seventh embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbagmodule having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state togetherwith a part of an outer fabric portion of the airbag;

FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional plan view of a side airbag apparatus of atwenty-eighth embodiment showing a schematic configuration of an insideof an airbag module with an airbag deployed and inflated;

FIG. 54 is a rear view showing a state in which a dividing portion ofthe twenty-eighth embodiment is tensed;

FIG. 55 is a partial cross-sectional side view schematically showing aninternal structure of the airbag module having an upstream inflationportion inflated in the twenty-eighth embodiment;

FIG. 56 is a rear view showing a state in which a dividing portion istensed in a side airbag apparatus of a twenty-ninth embodiment;

FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of athirtieth embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbag modulehaving an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state;

FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing an internalstructure of the airbag module having both an upstream inflation portionand a downstream inflation portion inflated in the thirtieth embodiment;

FIG. 59 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which adividing portion is tensed in a side airbag apparatus of a thirty-firstembodiment;

FIGS. 60A, 60B are cross-sectional views schematically showing how apassage (opening, auxiliary opening) formed between adjacent joiningportions (interlacing portion of an upper string and a lower string)changes before and after an occupant restraint in the thirty-firstembodiment;

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of athirty-second embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbagmodule having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state;

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing a joiningportion of a dividing portion with an airbag by a first joining portionin the airbag module in which an inflation portion is deployed andinflated in the thirty-second embodiment;

FIG. 63 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing an openingand an auxiliary opening in the airbag module in which the inflationportion is deployed and inflated in the thirty-second embodiment;

FIG. 64 is a cross-sectional plan view of a side airbag apparatus of athirty-third embodiment, showing a schematic configuration of an insideof an airbag module with an inflation portion inflated;

FIGS. 65A, 65B are diagrams showing a side airbag apparatus of athirty-fourth embodiment, where FIG. 65A is a cross-sectional side viewshowing an internal structure of an airbag module having an airbag in anon-inflated and deployed state together with a part of an outer clothportion of the airbag, and FIG. 65B is a partial side view showing apart of a woven fabric configuring a dividing portion in FIG. 65A in anenlarged manner;

FIG. 66 is a cross-sectional side view of a side airbag apparatus of athirty-fifth embodiment, showing an internal structure of an airbagmodule having an airbag in a non-inflated and deployed state;

FIG. 67 is a front view showing a state in which a dividing portion ofthe thirty-fifth embodiment is tensed; and

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional plan view schematically showing an internalstructure of the airbag module having both an upstream inflation portionand a downstream inflation portion inflated in the thirty-fifthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Hereinbelow, a first embodiment of a side airbag apparatus will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 10.

The side airbag apparatus herein is equipped in a motor vehicle. In thefollowing description, the description will be given by assuming aforward direction of the motor vehicle as the front, and a backingdirection of the motor vehicle as the back. Further, a center portion inthe lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) of the motor vehiclewill be used as a reference, and a location relatively near the centerportion and inside the vehicle will be termed “inner side”, a locationrelatively far from the center portion yet inside of the vehicle will betermed “motor vehicle outer side”. Further, in each drawing, “front”,“back”, “inner side” and “motor vehicle outer side” will respectively bedescribed as “front”, “back”, “inside”, and “outside”.

Further, it is assumed that an occupant (adult) having a standard bodysize is seated in a vehicle seat at a standard posture.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a vehicle seat 12 as a vehicle seat isarranged in the vicinity of the inner side (upper side in FIG. 2) of abody side portion 11 in a motor vehicle 10. The body side portion 11refers to a motor vehicle configuring member (vehicle configuringmember) arranged at a side part of the motor vehicle 10, and primarily adoor, and a pillar correspond to this. For example, the body sideportion 11 corresponding to a front seat is a front door, and a centerpillar (B pillar). Further, the body side portion 11 corresponding to aback seat is a back part of a side door (rear door), a C pillar, a frontpart of a tire housing, or a rear quarter.

The vehicle seat 12 includes a seat cushion (seat) 13, and a seat back14 that stands from a back side of the seat cushion 13 and of whichreclining angle is adjusted by an angle adjusting mechanism (not shown).The vehicle seat 12 is arranged in the motor vehicle 10 in a posture bywhich the seat back 14 faces forward. The widthwise direction of thevehicle seat 12 arranged as above matches the vehicle widthwisedirection.

The seat back 14 includes a seat back main body 15, and a pair of sidesupport portions 16 provided on both side parts in the widthwisedirection of the vehicle seat 12. The seat back main body 15 is reclinedbackward, and supports upper half of the body of an occupant P frombehind. The side support portions 16 protrude forward from the seat backmain body 15 and restrict movement of the upper half of the body of theoccupant P in the widthwise direction when the occupant P sits on theseat cushion 13 and leans against the seat back main body 15.

Next, as for the seat back 14, an internal structure of the side part onthe motor vehicle outer side including the side support portion 16 onthe motor vehicle outer side will be described.

A seat frame forming a framework thereof is arranged within the seatback 14. As shown in FIG. 3, a part of the seat frame is arranged on theouter side (lower side in FIG. 3) portion within the seat back 14, andthis portion (hereafter referred to as “side frame portion 17”) isformed by bending a metal plate. A seat pad 18 formed of an elasticmaterial such as urethane foam is arranged on the front side of the seatframe including the side frame portion 17. Further, a hard back board 19formed of composite resin is arranged at the back side of the seatframe. Although the seat pad 18 is covered by a skin, depiction of theskin is omitted in FIG. 3. The same applies to FIG. 6 to be describedbelow.

In the seat pad 18, a housing portion 21 is provided in the vicinity ofthe outer side of the side frame portion 17. A position of the housingportion 21 is in the vicinity of a back portion of the occupant P seatedin the vehicle seat 12 (see FIG. 2). The housing portion 21 has anairbag module AM configuring a main portion of the side airbag apparatusassembled therein.

A slit 22 extends diagonally frontward from a corner portion on theouter side and on the front side of the housing portion 21. A portion inbetween a corner portion 18C on the front side of the seat pad 18 andthe slit 22 (portion surrounded by a broken line in which a long dashalternates with a pair of short dashes in FIG. 3) configures a breakableportion 23 that is to be broken by an airbag 40 to be described below.

The airbag module AM to be assembled in the seat back 14 includes aninflator assembly 30 and the airbag 40 as primarily configuring members.Next, each of these configuring members will be described.

<Inflator Assembly 30>

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the inflator assembly 30 includes aninflator 31 as a gas generator, and a retainer 32 attached outside theinflator 31. As the inflator 31, a type called a pyrotechnic type isemployed. The inflator 31 has an elongated shape extending in asubstantially up and down direction (substantially columnar shape), andgas generating agent (not shown) for generating inflation gas is housedinside thereof. The inflator 31 includes a gas ejecting portion (notshown) at one of ends in the longitudinal direction (upper end in thefirst embodiment). A harness (not shown) that is to be an input wiringfor operation signals to the inflator 31 is connected at another of theends (lower end in the first embodiment) in the longitudinal directionof the inflator 31.

As the inflator 31, instead of the pyrotechnic type using the gasgenerating agent, a type (hybrid type) that ejects the inflation gas bybreaking a barrier wall of a high pressure gas tank in which highpressure gas is filled by explosive powder or the like may be used.

On the other hand, the retainer 32 is a member that functions as adiffuser for controlling a direction in which the inflation gas is to beejected, and has a function to bind the inflator 31 onto the side frameportion 17 (see FIG. 3) together with the airbag 40. Most part of theretainer 32 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape that extendsin a substantially up and down direction by bending a plate materialsuch as a metal plate. A window portion (not shown) is provided at anupper portion of the retainer 32, and most of the inflation gas ejectedfrom the inflator 31 flows out to the outside of the retainer 32 throughthis window portion.

In the retainer 32, as an engaging member for attaching the same to theside frame portion 17, a plurality of bolts 34 (see FIG. 6) is fixedthereto. In other words, the plurality of bolts 34 is indirectly fixedto the inflator 31 via the retainer 32. The bolts 34 may be provided onthe inflator 31 instead of the retainer 32. Further, the inflatorassembly 30 may be configured by the inflator 31 and the retainer 32being integrated.

<Airbag 40>

The airbag 40 is supplied with the inflation gas from the inflator 31when an impact is applied from a side of the vehicle seat 12 to the bodyside portion 11 by a side collision and the like during when the motorvehicle 10 is running and the like. The airbag 40 is deployed andinflated substantially forward from the seat back 14 while leaving apart of itself within the seat back 14 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 6).

FIG. 4 shows the airbag module AM in a state in which the airbag 40 isdeployed in a flat shape without inflation gas G (hereinbelow referredto as “non-inflated and deployed state”). Further, FIG. 7A shows aninternal structure of the airbag module AM, showing the airbag module AMwith the airbag 40 of FIG. 4 being cut at a center portion in itswidthwise direction (vehicle widthwise direction) together with theoccupant P and the vehicle seat 12.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the airbag 40 is formed by folding apiece of fabric sheet (also called a foundation fabric, and a panelfabric) in half along a folding line 42 set at its center portion so asto be overlapped in the widthwise direction (vehicle widthwisedirection) of the vehicle seat 12, and connecting the overlap portion ina bag shape. In order to distinguish two overlapped portions of theairbag 40, the one positioned on the inner side will be termed an innerfabric portion 43 (see FIG. 7), and the one positioned on the outer sidewill be termed an outer fabric portion 44 (see FIG. 4).

In the first embodiment, the fabric sheet is folded in half so that thefolding line 42 is positioned at a front end of the airbag 40, however,the fabric sheet may be folded in half so that the folding line 42 ispositioned at other ends, for example, a rear end, an upper end, and alower end. Further, the airbag 40 may be configured by two pieces offabric sheets divided along folding lines 42. In this case, the airbag40 is formed by overlapping two fabric sheets in the widthwise direction(vehicle widthwise direction) of the vehicle seat 12, and connecting thefabric sheets in a bag shape. Further, the airbag 40 may be configuredby three or more pieces of fabric sheets.

In the airbag 40, respective outer shapes of the inner fabric portion 43and the outer fabric portion 44 are in a symmetrical relationship abouta of line symmetry to each other with the folding line 42 as a symmetricaxis. The respective shapes and sizes of the inner fabric portion 43 andthe outer fabric portion 44 are set to be shapes and sizes that wouldoccupy a space between a part of an upper half of the body (mainlythorax PT and shoulder PS) of the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat12 and the body side portion 11 when the airbag 40 is deployed andinflated.

As the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44, amaterial with high strength and flexibility that can easily be folded,for example, a woven fabric formed by using polyester threads, polyamidethreads and the like are suitable.

The connection of the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabricportion 44 is formed at peripheral joining portions 45 provided in theirperipheral portions. In the first embodiment, the peripheral joiningportions 45 are formed by sewing (sewed together by a thread) portionswithin the peripheral portions of the inner fabric portion 43 and theouter fabric portion 44 excluding the front ends (portions in thevicinity of the folding line 42). This aspect applies similarly to firstjoining portions 54, 55, a second joining portion 63, and the like to bedescribed below.

In regards to the sewing, in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, FIG. 11 to FIG.24, FIG. 26 to FIG. 29, FIG. 33, FIG. 36, FIG. 41, FIG. 43 to FIG. 48,FIG. 50, FIG. 52, FIG. 57, FIG. 59, FIG. 61, FIG. 65A, and FIG. 66, asewn portion is expressed by three types of lines. A first type of lineis a line (one type of broken line) that is expressed by intermittentlyaligning bold lines with a certain length, and this illustrates a stateof seeing the sewn portion from a side (see the peripheral joiningportion 45 and the first joining portion 55 in FIG. 4). A second type ofline is a line (one type of broken line) that is expressed byintermittently aligning thin lines with a certain length, and thisillustrates a state of sewing threads that are positioned at a back ofthe outer fabric portion 44 and thus cannot be seen directly (see thesecond joining portion 63 in FIG. 7). A third type of line is a line(one type of broken line) that is expressed by aligning dots at acertain interval, and this illustrates states between the inner fabricportion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44 that are the target ofsewing, and the sewing threads between an upper fabric portion 56 and alower fabric portion 57 (see the peripheral joining portion 45 in FIG.7). That is, a drawing that expresses the sewing by the third type ofline illustrates a cross-sectional structure along a cross sectionpassing through the sewn portion, and illustrates a cross section of thesewing threads.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, in the airbag 40, a portion surrounded bythe peripheral joining portion 45 is an inflation portion 46 that is tobe inflated by the inflation gas G.

The peripheral joining portion 45 may be formed by means other thansewing using the sewing threads as above, for example, by adhesion usingadhesives. This point applies similarly to first joining portions 54,55, second joining portions 63, extended joining portions 76, 106, anauxiliary first joining portion 88, a division joining portion 111, andjoining portions 117, 141, 148, 156, 157 to be described below.

The inflator assembly 30 is arranged at a rear end lower portion in theairbag 40 in a posture that is tilted lower on the front side. Further,the bolt 34 of the retainer 32 is penetrated in the inner fabric portion43 (see FIG. 3). According to such a penetration, the inflator assembly30 is engaged in a state of being positioned relative to the airbag 40.Further, the lower portion rear end of the airbag 40 is tightened by aring-shaped tightening tool 37 in an airtight manner relative to thelower end of the inflator assembly 30.

A dividing portion 50 is provided in the inflation portion 46. Thedividing portion 50 has a configuration similar to those generallycalled tethers. When the dividing portion 50 is tensed, an endpositioned on the inside in the widthwise direction of the vehicle seat12 (motor vehicle 10) will be termed an “inner end 52”, and an endpositioned on the outside will be termed an “outer end 53”.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional structure taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4.In FIG. 5, respective members are depicted by omitting theirthicknesses, and each of the second joining portions 63 are depicted ina zigzag shape. As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, when the airbag 40 is inthe non-inflated and deployed state, the dividing portion 50 isoverlapped in the widthwise direction of the vehicle seat 12 (motorvehicle 10) by being folded in half along a folding line 51 extending inan up and down direction. The dividing portion 50 in this state isarranged in the inflation portion 46 in a state in which the foldingline 51 is positioned on an upstream side of the inner end 52 and theouter end 53. In the specification, a side closer to the inflator 31will be termed an “upstream side”, and a side far from the inflator 31will be termed a “downstream side”.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, when the dividing portion 50 is tensed ina sheet shape due to the deployment and inflation of the inflationportion 46, it has a shape in which a dimension L1 along the foldingline 51 (hereinbelow referred to as a “vertical direction”) is largerthan a dimension L2 in a direction orthogonally intersecting the foldingline 51 (hereinbelow referred to as a “lateral direction”). An inner end52 of the dividing portion 50 is connected to the inner fabric portion43 of the airbag 40 by the first joining portion 54 extending in asubstantially up and down direction. Further, the outer end 53 of thedividing portion 50 is connected to the outer fabric portion 44 of theairbag 40 by the first joining portion 55 extending in the substantiallyup and down direction.

The dividing portion 50 is bridged between the inner fabric portion 43and the outer fabric portion 44 by the above connections. When theairbag 40 is in the non-inflated and deployed state, the dividingportion 50 comes to be in the state of being folded in half (see FIG. 5,FIG. 7A). Further, when the inflation portion 46 is deployed andinflated, the dividing portion 50 comes to be in the state of beingtensed in the widthwise direction (vehicle widthwise direction) of thevehicle seat 12 (see FIG. 9), and restricts an inflation thickness ofthe inflation portion 46 in this direction.

Further, the dividing portion 50 in the state of being folded in half isconnected to the airbag 40 at opposite ends in the direction along thefolding line 51 (vertical direction). That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, theupper end of the dividing portion 50 is connected (sewn together) to theupper ends of the fabric portions 43, 44 of the airbag 40 by theaforementioned peripheral joining portion 45. Further, the lower end ofthe dividing portion 50 is connected (sewn together) to the lower endsof the fabric portions 43, 44 by the peripheral joining portion 45.

As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 9, by using the dividing portion 50, theinflation portion 46 is divided into an upstream inflation portion 47 onthe rear side that configures a rear half portion and where the inflatorassembly 30 is arranged, and a downstream inflation portion 48 thatconfigures a front half portion of the inflation portion 46 and wherethe inflator assembly 30 is not arranged. A wall portion of the upstreaminflation portion 47 is configured by a part of the inner fabric portion43, a part of the outer fabric portion 44, and the dividing portion 50.The same applies to a wall portion of the downstream inflation portion48. According to such a configuration, the inflation gas from theinflator 31 initially is supplied to the upstream inflation portion 47,and thereafter is supplied to the downstream inflation portion 48.

The dividing portion 50 is configured by fabric portions aligned in thevertical direction (up and down direction). In order to distinguish eachfabric portion, one that is positioned on the upper side will be termedan upper fabric portion 56, and one that is positioned on the lower sidewill be termed a lower fabric portion 57. The fabric portions 56, 57 areformed in a sheet shape by using the same material as the fabric sheetof the airbag 40.

As shown in FIG. 7B and FIG. 9, in the upper fabric portion 56 and thelower fabric portion 57, their ends 58, 59 are overlapped in a bandshape in a state in which end edges 58E, 59E of the ends 58, 59 arematched. The two fabric portions 56, 57 are connected at a boundaryportion between a pair of overlap portions 61, each having a band shape,and other portions (hereinbelow referred to as “non-overlap portion 62”)by a second joining portion 63 extending in a lateral direction (vehiclewidthwise direction). The boundary portion is separated from the endedges 58E, 59E by a predetermined distance in the vertical direction (upand down direction).

In the dividing portion 50, at a substantial center portion in both thevertical direction (up and down direction) and the lateral direction(vehicle widthwise direction), an opening 65 and a pressure regulatorvalve 70 are provided. Next, the opening 65 and the pressure regulatorvalve 70 will be described.

The second joining portion 63 is released of the connection at a partthereof (portion that becomes a center portion in the lateral direction(vehicle widthwise direction) when the dividing portion 50 is tensed).In other words, in the boundary portion of the overlap portions 61 andthe non-overlap portion 62, the second joining portion 63 for connectingthe upper fabric portion 56 and the lower fabric portion 57 is notprovided at the portion that becomes the center portion in the lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction) when the dividing portion 50 istensed. Accordingly, the portion released of the connection, which isthe portion where the second joining portion 63 is not provided, formsthe slit-shaped opening 65 extending in the lateral direction (vehiclewidthwise direction). The upstream inflation portion 47 and thedownstream inflation portion 48 are communicated by this opening 65. Thelateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) herein is identical to adirection in which impact is applied onto the motor vehicle 10 and thevehicle seat 12.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the pressure regulator valve 70 is avalve that closes before the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47 and restricts the inflation gas from flowing to thedownstream inflation portion 48 from the upstream inflation portion 47through the opening 65. The valve 70 cancels the restriction upon theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 by opening inaccordance with a change in a tensed state of the dividing portion 50caused by the external force applied due to the restraint. The pressureregulator valve 70 includes a pair of valve body portions 71, 72, thatis, the overlap portions 61, at portions corresponding to the opening(proximal portion).

More specifically, the valve body portion 71 is configured by a portionbetween the opening 65 and the end edge 58E, and the valve body portion72 is configured by a portion between the opening 65 and the end edge59E. The pressure regulator valve 70 closes by the valve body portions71, 72 contact each other at least at parts thereof, for example, atdistal ends 71T, 72T, and the flow of the inflation gas at the opening65 and in the valve body portions 71, 72 is restricted (see FIG. 10A,10B). Further, the pressure regulator valve 70 opens by the opening 65being opened, and the valve body portions 71, 72 being pushed out fromthe upstream inflation portion 47 to the downstream inflation portion 48through the opening 65, and an entirety of the valve body portion 71being separated from an entirety of the valve body portion 72 within thedownstream inflation portion 48. By the above opening, the flowrestriction of the inflation gas G in the opening 65 and in the valvebody portions 71, 72 is cancelled, and the flow is allowed (see FIG.10C).

Further, a time changing apparatus that changes an opening time of thepressure regulator valve 70 upon the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47 to a time that is different from an opening timeonly by the pressure regulator valve 70 is provided. The time changingapparatus herein is configured by a retaining portion that retains thepressure regulator valve 70 in a closed state, and cancels theretainment from a midpoint of the occupant restraint by the inflationportion 46. In the first embodiment, the retaining portion is configuredby a tear seam 73 that connects the two valve body portions 71, 72 inthe state of contacting each other or being positioned proximal to eachother, and is broken from a midpoint of the occupant restraint.

The tear seam 73 extends in the vertical direction (up and downdirection) at the center portion in the lateral direction (vehiclewidthwise direction) of the two valve body portions 71, 72 when thedividing portion 50 enters the tensed state. The tear seam 73 connectsthe two valve body portions 71, 72 with a degree of strength that islower than other joining portions, for example, the peripheral joiningportion 45, the first joining portions 54, 55, and the second joiningportions 63. The tear seam 73 is more prone to being broken than theother joining portions. The tear seam 73 is formed by sewing the twovalve body portions 71, 72 together by using the sewing thread.

The tear seam 73 may be formed by means other than the sewing thread.For example, adhesive agent may be used, and the two valve body portions71, 72 may be adhered to each other by the adhesive agent to form thetear seam 73.

Further, the tear seam 73 may be provided at a plurality of sections inthe lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) of the two valvebody portions 71, 72 so as to extend parallel to each other.

Moreover, as described above, the overlap portions 61 having the valvebody portions 71, 72 are arranged on the upstream inflation portion 47before when the inflation portion 46 is deployed and inflated (see FIG.7 B).

Further, the overlap portions 61 are folded upward or downward (upwardin the first embodiment) at the boundary portion with the non-overlapportion 62, and are overlapped with the non-overlap portion 62. Further,the overlap portions 61 that are folded and having the band shape areconnected (sewn together) to the inner fabric portion 43 and the outerfabric portion 44 that are corresponding in the airbag 40, and thenon-overlap portion 62 of the dividing portion 50 at the opposite endsin the direction along the second joining portion 63 (lateral direction)by the aforementioned first joining portions 54, 55 (see FIG. 5, andFIG. 7A).

The airbag module AM is configured in a compact form (hereafter referredto as “storing form”) by the airbag 40 in the non-inflated and deployedstate (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 7) being folded. This is for optimizing theairbag module AM to be stored in a housing portion 21 (see FIG. 3)having a limited size in the seat back 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the airbag module AM in the storing form is providedin the housing portion 21 in a state that positions the inflatorassembly 30 at the rear side, and positions most of the airbag 40 on thefront side. Further, as described above, the bolts 34 extending from theretainer 32 and inserted into the airbag 40 (inner fabric portion 43)are inserted to the side frame portion 17, and are tightened by nuts 35.By this tightening, the inflator assembly 30 is fixed to the side frameportion 17 together with the airbag 40.

The inflator assembly 30 may be fixed to the motor vehicle 10 (sideframe portion 17) by a member that is different from the bolts 34 andthe nuts 35 as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the side airbag apparatus includes an impact sensor81 and a control device 82 aside from the aforementioned airbag moduleAM. The impact sensor 81 is configured by a velocity sensor and thelike, is provided at the body side portion 11 of the motor vehicle 10 orthe like (see FIG. 2, for example), and detects impact applied from theside to the body side portion 11. The control device 82 controls anoperation of the inflator 31 based on detection signals from the impactsensor 81.

Further, although the motor vehicle 10 is equipped with a seat beltdevice for restraining the occupant P seated in the vehicle seat 12, theseat belt device is omitted in the respective drawings.

The side airbag apparatus of the first embodiment is configured asdescribed above. Next, as workings of the side airbag apparatus, arepresentative operation manner (mode) will be described. FIGS. 10A to10C schematically show how the state of the pressure regulator valve 70and the like changes over time after starting the supply of theinflation gas G, and details thereof are omitted and simplified.

In the side airbag apparatus, when the impact from the side is notapplied to the motor vehicle 10 (body side portion 11), an operationsignal for causing the inflator 31 to operate is not outputted from thecontrol device 82 to the inflator 31, and the inflation gas is notsupplied from the inflator 31 to the inflation portion 46. The airbag 40is kept stored in the housing portion 21 in the storing form togetherwith the inflator assembly 30 (see FIG. 3). At this time, in the airbag40, the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44 areclose to each other. The dividing portion 50 is in the state of beingfolded in half by positioning the folding line 51 on the upstream sideof the inner end 52 and the outer end 53. The two valve body portions71, 72 are overlapped with each other in the upstream inflation portion47. The valve body portions 71, 72 in the pressure regulator valve 70are connected by the tear seam 73.

In contrast, during when the motor vehicle 10 is running, when theimpact of a predetermined value or more is applied to the body sideportion 11 by a side collision and the like, and such an occurrence isdetected by the impact sensor 81, the operation signal for causing theinflator 31 to operate is outputted from the control device 82 to theinflator 31 based on a detection signal thereon. According to thisoperation signal, in the inflator 31, gas generating agent generates theinflation gas having a high temperature and high pressure. The inflationgas is supplied initially to the upstream inflation portion 47 of theinflation portion 46. The upstream inflation portion 47 that has beensupplied with the inflation gas starts the deployment and inflation.

Accordingly, the dividing portion 50 in the state of being folded inhalf is pulled. Tension is applied onto the dividing portion 50 in thevertical direction (up and down direction) and in the lateral direction(vehicle widthwise direction), and the dividing portion 50 acts to enterthe tensed state (see FIG. 9 and FIG. 10A).

An internal pressure PT is applied from an overlapping direction(thickness direction) onto the valve body portions 71, 72 positioned onthe upstream inflation portion 47. The internal pressure PI is not ashigh as upon the restraint of the occupant P by the upstream inflationportion 47. The two valve body portions 71, 72 make tight contact witheach other with their entire surfaces by the internal pressure PI, andcome to be in a self-sealed state that restricts the flow of theinflation gas between the two valve body portions 71, 72. Further, theoverlap portions 61 that was folded and overlapped with the non-overlapportion 62 of the dividing portion 50 are pressed against thenon-overlap portion 62 by the internal pressure PI. Due to this also,the two valve body portions 71, 72 are caused to close with more ease.

Since the dividing portion 50 is longer in the vertical direction (upand down direction) than in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection) (L1>L2), stronger tension tends to be applied in the lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction) than in the vertical direction(up and down direction). The opening 65 easily closes due to extendingin the lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) in which thestronger tension is likely to be applied.

However, despite the presence of the magnitude relationship of thetension (tensile strength) as aforementioned, the tension (tensilestrength) is also applied in the vertical direction (up and downdirection) that is a direction in which the opening 65 is to be opened,the opening 65 does not necessarily need to close for sure, and there isa risk that it may open. However, in such a case as well, the two valvebody portions 71, 72 are closed at least at their distal ends 71T, 72T.This is because even if the opening 65 is pulled in the verticaldirection (up and down direction) by the dividing portion 50 beingtensed, whereby a force that acts to open the opening 65 worksthereupon, such a force is the largest at the opening 65 and becomessmaller on farther side from the opening 65, and is the minimum at thedistal ends 71T, 72T of the two valve body portions 71, 72.

Moreover, in the first embodiment, the overlap portions 61 folded to thenon-overlap portion 62 are connected to the fabric portions 43, 44together with the inner end 52 and the outer end 53 by the first joiningportions 54, 55 at opposite ends of a direction in which the opening 65(second joining portion 63) extends (lateral direction: vehiclewidthwise direction). Therefore, when the upstream inflation portion 47is deployed and inflated, not only a strong tension is applied in thelateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) on the dividing portion50 (non-overlap portion 62) but also a strong tension is applied on theoverlap portions 61 in the same direction.

When the two valve body portions 71, 72 contact each other at least atparts thereof, the pressure regulator valve 70 comes to be in a state ofbeing closed. The inflation gas inside the upstream inflation portion 47is restricted from flowing out to the downstream inflation portion 48 byflowing between the two valve body portions 71, 72 and through theopening 65. By this restriction, the inflation gas hardly flows in theopening 65. The inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 doesnot flow to the downstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 65,and is scarce, if any flows. As a result, the inflation gas is gatheredin the upstream inflation portion 47, and an internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 exclusively starts to increase.

In the first embodiment, since the inflation portion 46 is divided intothe upstream inflation portion 47 and the downstream inflation portion48 by the dividing portion 50, the capacity of the upstream inflationportion 47 is smaller than the capacity of the inflation portion 46 ifthe inflation portion 46 were not divided. Therefore, the internalpressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 starts to increase earlierthat it would if the inflation portion 46 were not divided and becomeshigh earlier. Especially, the inflation gas in the upstream inflationportion 47 is allowed to flow only between the two valve body portions71, 72, and does not flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48without going between the two valve body portions 71, 72. Accordingly,an increasing rise of the internal pressure of the upstream inflationportion 47 is unlikely to drop due to the outflow of the inflation gas.

Further, by the inflation of the upstream inflation portion 47, theupstream inflation portion 47 acts to resolve the folded state in areversed order of the order by which it was folded. When the upstreaminflation portion 47 is inflated (deployed and inflated) while beingunfolded (deploying), the seat pad 18 of the seat back 14 is pressed bythe upstream inflation portion 47, and is broken at the breakableportion 23 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 6, the upstream inflationportion 47 is projected out forward from the seat back 14 through thebroken portion in the state in which a part of the upstream inflationportion 47 is left within the housing portion 21.

As shown by broken line in which a long dash alternates with a pair ofshort dashes in FIG. 2, the upstream inflation portion 47 to which theinflation gas is supplied thereafter deploys while being unfoldedfrontward in a gap between the body side portion 11 and the vehicle seat12.

The upstream inflation portion 47 starts to be pressed against the upperhalf of the body of the occupant P (thorax PT and the like) by the bodyside portion 11 entering into the inner side. By this pressing, theoccupant P starts to be restrained of his upper half of the body (thoraxPT and the like) primarily by the upstream inflation portion 47.Further, the impact from the side transmitted to the upper half of thebody (thorax PT and the like) of the occupant P through the body sideportion 11 is reduced, and the upper half of the body is protected.

Upon the above pressing, since the upstream inflation portion 47primarily is deployed and inflated in the inflation portion 46, theportion where the occupant P receives the pressure of the inflationportion 46 is primarily the upstream inflation portion 47.

The inflation gas is kept supplied to the upstream inflation portion 47while the two valve body portions 71, 72 make tight contact with theirentire surfaces and in the closed state. On the other hand, the pressureregulator valve 70 starts to open by the external force applied from thebody side portion 11.

That is, from the midpoint of the supplying period of the inflation gasG to the inflation portion 46, the inflation portion 46 (upstreaminflation portion 47) is pressed and deformed by the external force thataccompanies the restraint of the occupant. Accordingly, the tension thathas been intensely exerted in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection) to the dividing portion 50 is reduced. A difference in thetension in the vertical and lateral directions becomes small.

Further, the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47further increases due to the above deformation of the inflation portion46, whereby the dividing portion 50 is pressed toward the downstreaminflation portion 48 (see FIG. 10B), and the tension applied onto thedividing portion 50 changes. Further, the difference in the tension inthe vertical and lateral directions becomes small by the above change inthe tension also. The deformation of the opening 65 positioned on thedividing portion 50 is allowed, and the operation of the valve bodyportions 71, 72 positioned on the dividing portion 50 is allowed.

On the other hand, since the overlap portions 61 are overlapped on thenon-overlap portion 62, and are connected to the fabric portions 43, 44of the airbag 40 by the first joining portions 54, 55 at opposite endsin the lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction), the force thatworks to maintain the state of being overlapped is strong at portions ofthe overlap portions 61 near the first joining portions 54, 55. However,this force becomes smaller on the farther side from the first joiningportions 54, 55, and is minimum at the center portions in the lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction), that is, at the two valve bodyportions 71, 72. Therefore, the overlap portion 61 that has been pulledin the vertical direction (up and down direction) deforms in the samedirection only at the valve body portions 71, 72 and the vicinityportions thereof.

When the opening 65 opens to some degree, at the overlap portion 61,only the two valve body portions 71, 72 that have received the highinternal pressure PI of the upstream inflation portion 47 are pressedinto the downstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 65, and areinverted.

Accordingly, when a width W1 of the opening 65 in the vertical direction(up and down direction) after the valve body portions 71, 72 have beeninverted as above is narrow, the distal ends 71T, 72T contact eachother, and the two valve body portions 71, 72 close at the distal ends71T, 72T (see FIG. 10B). This state continues during a period in whichthe width W1 of the opening 65 is kept narrower than a sum (2*W2) ofwidths W2 of the respective valve body portions 71, 72 (see FIG. 10C).

Further, when the width W1 of the opening 65 is larger than the sum(=2*W2), the distal ends 71T, 72T are separated (see FIG. 10C), and thepressure regulator valve 70 comes to be in the state of being opened.The flow restriction is cancelled by the above opening of the pressureregulator valve 70, and the inflation gas G in the upstream inflationportion 47 is allowed to flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48by flowing through the opening 65, and between the valve body portions71, 72.

Incidentally, upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, the pressure regulator valve 70 is opened, whereas theopening timing thereof is changed to an opening time configured only bythe pressure regulator valve 70 by the time changing apparatus, that is,to a time that is different from the original opening time of thepressure regulator valve 70 (opening time in the case where the timechanging apparatus is not provided).

Specifically, in a period before the occupant restraint by the inflationportion 46, and in a period until the midpoint of the occupant restraintduring the occupant restraint, a force that works to connect the twovalve body portions 71, 72 by the tear seam 73, which is in other wordsa force that works to retain the two valve body portions 71, 72 to be inthe state of contacting each other overwhelms a force that works toseparate the two valve body portions 71, 72. Therefore, the tear seam 73is not broken, and the connection by the tear seam 73 is maintained. Thetwo valve body portions 71, 72 are retained in the state of contactingeach other, and the pressure regulator valve 70 is retained in theclosed state.

In contrast, from the midpoint of the occupant restraint by theinflation portion 46, the force that works to separate the two valvebody portions 71, 72 overwhelms the force that works to connect the twovalve body portions 71, 72 by the tear seam 73, that is, the force thatworks to retain the two valve body portions 71, 72 to be in the state ofcontacting each other. The tear seam 73 is broken, the connection(retaining) by the tear seam 73 is cancelled, and the force that worksto keep the two valve body portions 71, 72 in the contacting statedisappears. The two valve body portions 71, 72 are thus capable ofseparating (the pressure regulator valve 70 is capable of opening).

Accordingly, during the occupant restraint by the inflation portion 46,the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 is delayed by theperiod during which the two valve body portions 71, 72 are retained inthe state of contacting each other by the tear seam 73. Accompanyingthis, the timing at which the inflation gas G in the upstream inflationportion 47 starts to flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48through the opening 65 is delayed.

The internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 shifts froman increasing trend to a decreasing trend by the outflow of theinflation gas G. In the meantime, the body side portion 11 stillcontinues to enter toward the inner side, and the inflation portion 46is pressed against the occupant P at the upstream inflation portion 47.

Further, an internal pressure of the downstream inflation portion 48starts to increase by the inflow of the inflation gas, and thedownstream inflation portion 48 starts to inflate. The inflation portion46 begins to be pressed against the occupant P not only at the upstreaminflation portion 47 but also at the downstream inflation portion 48,whereby the occupant P is restrained not only by the upstream inflationportion 47 but also by the downstream inflation portion 48 as well.Further, the impact from the side transmitted to the upper half of thebody through the body side portion 11 is reduced not only by theupstream inflation portion 47 but also by the downstream inflationportion 48 as well, and the upper half of the body is further protected.

The first embodiment described in detail above achieves the followingadvantages.

(1) The time changing apparatus is provided, and the opening time of thepressure regulator valve 70 upon the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47 is configured to be changed to a time differentfrom the opening time set only by the pressure regulator valve 70(original opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70) (FIG. 8 andFIG. 9).

Therefore, the outflow starting time (manner of outflow) of theinflation gas G from the upstream inflation portion 47 can be changed bythe change in the opening time to a more suitable configuration forrestraining and protecting the occupant P, and the performance torestrain and protect the occupant P by the airbag 40 is improved.

(2) As the pressure regulator valve 70, one having the pair of valvebody portions 71, 72 provided around the opening 65 is used. Further,the valve body portions 71, 72 are caused to be pressed by the inflationgas G within the upstream inflation portion 47 so as to contact eachother or to come close to each other before the occupant restraint bythe upstream inflation portion 47 (FIG. 10A). Further, upon the occupantrestraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, the valve body portions71, 72 are caused to be separated from each other by bending them by theexternal force applied due to the restraint through the dividing portion50 (wall portion) (FIGS. 10B and 10C).

Thus, by using the pressure regulator valve 70 having such structure,the pressure regulator valve 70 is closed and the inflation gas isrestricted from flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47through the opening 65 before the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47. In addition, upon the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47, the restriction is cancelled by openingthe pressure regulator valve 70.

(3) The time changing apparatus is configured by the retaining portionby which the pressure regulator valve 70 is retained in the closed stateuntil the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, and the retaining is cancelled from the midpoint of theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 (FIG. 8 and FIG.9).

Therefore, during the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 isdelayed by the time during which the pressure regulator valve 70 isretained in the closed state by the retaining portion, and the time whenthe inflation gas G starts to flow out from the upstream inflationportion 47 is delayed.

(4) The tear seam 73 by which two valve body portions 71, 72 that are inthe state of contacted to each other are connected, and that is brokenin the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47 is used as the retaining portion (time changing apparatus)(FIG. 8 and FIG. 9).

Therefore, the valve body portions 71, 72 are kept connected by the tearseam 73, the valve body portions 71, 72 are retained in the state ofcontacting each other, and the pressure regulator valve 70 is retainedin the closed state in the time before the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47 and in the time until the midpoint of theoccupant restraint during the occupant restraint.

In contrast, from the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, the tear seam 73 is broken, and the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 can be separated (open the pressure regulator valve 70).

Modifications of the First Embodiment

The first embodiment may be modified as follows.

The inflation portion 46 does not necessarily need to be divided by thedividing portion 50, that is, may be configured by one chamber. In thiscase, the wall portion of the inflation portion 46 is configured by theinner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44.

However, a part of the wall portion (inner fabric portion 43 and outerfabric portion 44) is formed of a different member from the remainder ofthe wall portion. Further, the aforementioned part is connected to theremainder of the wall portion by the first joining portion provided inthe peripheral portion of the part. The opening 65 and the pressureregulator valve 70 are provided in this part.

This modification may be adapted respectively to second to fourteenth,sixteenth to twenty-first, and twenty-seventh embodiments to bedescribed below.

In the overlap portion 61, the portion that functions as the two valvebody portions 71, 72 is a portion corresponding to the opening 65(proximal portion of the opening 65, more specifically, a portionbetween the opening 65 and the end edges 58E, 59E). Thus, so long as atleast the distal ends 71T, 72T of the two valve body portions 71, 72contact each other and are closed upon when the upstream inflationportion 47 is deployed and inflated (before the occupant restraint), aconfiguration of the portion of the overlap portion 61 not correspondingto the opening 65 (non-proximal portion) may be changed. For example, asfor the portion of the overlap portion 61 not corresponding to theopening 65 (non-proximal portion), it may be connected partially orentirely. The means of the connection may be sewing, or may be adhesion.By being changed as above, only the portion corresponding to the opening65 in the overlap portion 61 can be operated as the two valve bodyportions 71, 72, and phenomenon in which the non-corresponding portionmoves unnecessarily, for example, clattering phenomenon can beprevented.

Other than the above, a notch may be formed at least in part of theportion of the overlap portion 61 not corresponding to the opening 65(non-proximal portion).

The inner end 52 and the outer end 53 of the dividing portion 50 may beconnected to the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44of the airbag 40 within the upstream inflation portion 47, or may beconnected within the downstream inflation portion 48.

Further, one of the inner end 52 and the outer end 53 may be connectedwithin the upstream inflation portion 47, and the other may be connectedwithin the downstream inflation portion 48.

The opening 65 and the second joining portion 63 may be provided notonly in the direction orthogonally intersecting the folding line 51 ofthe dividing portion 50, but also in a direction obliquely intersectingthe folding line 51.

The folding line 51 in the dividing portion 50 in the state of beingfolded in half may be inclined relative to the vertical direction (upand down direction).

The dividing portion 50 does not necessarily need to be folded along thefolding line 51.

The portion where the connection of the overlap portion 61 by the secondjoining portion 63 is cancelled may be set at a portion differing fromthe above respective embodiments.

A plurality of portions where the connection of the overlap portion 61by the second joining portion 63 is cancelled may be set.

When folded in half, the dividing portion 50, which is formed by beingfolded along the folding line 51 to cause the inner end 52 and the outerend 53 to come close to each other, may be arranged in the inflationportion 46 in the non-inflated and deployed state while being in a statein which the folding line 51 is positioned on the downstream side of theinner end 52 and the outer end 53.

The inner end 52 of the dividing portion 50 may be connected to theinner fabric portion 43 in a front and rear direction of the vehicleseat 12 at a portion differing from the connecting portion of the outerend 53 with the outer fabric portion 44. In this case, the dividingportion 50 is tensed in the direction that it inclines relative to thefront and rear direction of the vehicle seat 12.

Second Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the second embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 11.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in aconfiguration of a pressure regulator valve 70.

More specifically, an upper fabric portion 56 and a lower fabric portion57 respectively being configured by overlap portions 61 and anon-overlap portion 62 is as described in the first embodiment. In thesecond embodiment, an extended overlap portion 74 is provided in eachoverlap portion 61 toward a side separating away from a second joiningportion 63 (upper side in FIG. 11) with a center portion in a lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction: left and right direction of FIG.11) as a starting point. The extended overlap portions 74 are positionedat positions opposing an opening 65. These extended overlap portions 74are overlapped with each other in the upstream inflation portion 47similar to the overlap portions 61.

Further, a tear seam 73 (retaining portion, time changing apparatus)extending in a direction of extension of the extended overlap portions74 is extended to distal ends of the extended overlap portions 74,whereby the two extended overlap portions 74 are connected by the tearseam 73. The tear seam 73 is elongated by the two extended overlapportions 74.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

According to the second embodiment configured as above, the valve bodyportions 71, 72 are elongated by the extended overlap portions 74 beingprovided. It is more difficult for the two valve body portions 71, 72 tobe pushed out (be inverted) to a downstream inflation portion 48 throughthe opening 65 by the elongated length of the extended overlap portions74. Further, it is more difficult for the occurrence of the valve bodyportions 71, 72 being separated from each other after having beeninverted (pressure regulator valve 70 being opened) to take place.Therefore, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 isdelayed by the two extended overlap portions 74.

Further, the strength of the tear seam 73 is increased by the tear seam73 becoming longer. Therefore, the timing of breaking is delayed by thetear seam 73 being elongated. As a result, the time when the valve bodyportions 71, 72 are pushed out (inverted) to the downstream inflationportion 48 through the opening 65 and the valve body portions 71, 72separate from each other (opening time of the pressure regulator valve70) is further delayed.

Thus, the second embodiment achieves advantages as follows in additionto the advantages of (1) to (4) as above.

(5) The extended overlap portions 74, which extend away from the secondjoining portion 63, and are overlapped together with the overlapportions 61 within the upstream inflation portion 47 with the respectiveoverlap portions 61 as the starting points are provided.

Therefore, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 can bedelayed in comparison to one without the extended overlap portions 74.

Further, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 can beadjusted by adjusting the lengths of the extended overlap portions 74 inthe direction of extension.

(6) The extended overlap portions 74 are connected by the tear seam 73by extending the tear seam 73.

Therefore, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 canfurther be delayed by the length of the tear seam 73.

Modifications of the Second Embodiment

The second embodiment may be modified as follows.

The tear seam 73 may be provided at a plurality of positions in thelateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction).

The tear seam 73 may have a length by which it does not reach distalends of the extended overlap portions 74.

Third Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the third embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 12.

The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in aconfiguration of tear seams 73 as a time changing apparatus and aretaining portion.

Specifically, the tear seams 73 are provided in extended overlapportions 74. The tear seams 73 are provided parallel to a second joiningportion 63, and extend in a lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection) when a dividing portion 50 comes to be in a tensed state.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the secondembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the second embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the third embodiment configured as above has the tear seams 73provided in the extended overlap portions 74 extending along the secondjoining portion 63. Therefore, although the easiness of breaking of thetear seams 73 differs from the second embodiment, advantages similar to(1) to (6) described above can be obtained.

Modifications of the Third Embodiment

The third embodiment may be modified as follows.

In the third embodiment, although three tear seams 73 are formedparallel to each other, a number thereof may be changed on condition ofbeing one or more. Further, intervals between the adjacent tear seams 73may be set evenly for all of the tear seams 73, or may be set unevenly.

In the case where a plurality of the tear seams 73 is provided, lengthsthereof may be set evenly, or may be set unevenly. The tear seam 73 hasa characteristic in which the strength to connect the two extendedoverlap portions 74 becomes stronger as the length becomes longer.

The tear seams 73 may be provided in the valve body portions 71, 72 inaddition to the extended overlap portions 74.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the fourth embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 13.

Upon opening a pressure regulator valve 70 by which the valve bodyportions 71, 72 separate from each other, a large stress is applied tosecond joining portions 63 connecting two overlap portions 61 at aboundary portion with a non-overlap portion 62, especially at portionsof the second joining portions 63 that are adjacent to an opening 65.

Thus, in the fourth embodiment, stress relaxation portions 75 that relaxthe stress applied to the portions of the second joining portions 63that is adjacent to the opening 65 due to the opening of the pressureregulator valve 70 are provided on the overlap portions 61. In thefourth embodiment, a portion that is adjacent to the opening 65 in eachof the second joining portions 63 is formed in a curve shape at theoverlap portions 61, that is, more specifically, is formed in a curvedshape that bulges in a curvature toward a non-overlap portion 62 of theoverlap portions 61 (lower side of FIG. 13) and toward inner side of theopening 65, and the stress relaxation portions 75 are formed by thecurved portions of the second joining portions 63.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the secondembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the second embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the fourth embodiment configured as above, each of the stressrelaxation portions 75 relaxes the stress applied to the portions of thesecond joining portions 63 that are adjacent to the opening 65. That is,the stress due to the opening of the pressure regulator valve 70 isreceived at the portions within the second joining portions 63 that areadjacent to the opening 65, which are in this case the non-overlapportion 62 of the overlap portions 61 (lower side of FIG. 13), and thatis formed in the curved shape bulging in a curvature toward the innerside of the opening 65. The stress is received at a large portion in thecurved shape compared to a case of being received at a narrow portionsuch as the end of each second joining portion 63.

Thus, the fourth embodiment achieves advantages as follows in additionto the advantages of (1) to (6) as above.

(7) The stress relaxation portions 75 for relaxing the stress applied tothe portions of the second joining portions 63 adjacent to the opening65 due to the opening of the pressure regulator valve 70 are provided atthe overlap portions 61.

Therefore, by receiving the stress applied due to the opening of thepressure regulator valve 70 by the stress relaxation portions 75, theportions of the second joining portions 63 adjacent to the opening 65can be prevented from being damaged by the stress.

(8) Parts of the second joining portions 63 (portions of the secondjoining portions 63 adjacent to the opening 65) are configured as thestress relaxation portions 75.

Accordingly, since the parts of the second joining portions 63 arecaused to function as the stress relaxation portions 75, the stressrelaxation portions 75 does not have to be provided separately from thesecond joining portions 63.

(9) The portions of the second joining portions 63 adjacent to theopening 65 are configured as the stress relaxation portions 75 by beingformed in the curved shape at the overlap portions 61.

Therefore, the stress relaxation portions 75 can be formed despitehaving the simple configuration of forming the portions of the secondjoining portions 63 adjacent to the opening 65 in the curved shape.

Further, by receiving the stress due to the opening of the pressureregulator valve 70 by the wide portion with the curved shape, the stressis prevented from being applied by being accumulated at certain portionsof the second joining portions 63.

(10) The portions of the second joining portions 63 adjacent to theopening 65 are formed in the curved shape that bulges toward thenon-overlap portion 62 of the two overlap portions 61 (lower side inFIG. 13) and toward the inner side of the opening 65 in the shape of thecurvature, and the stress relaxation portions 75 are formed by thesecurved portions.

Accordingly, by forming the stress relaxation portions 75 in the shapethat bulges in the curvature shape, the shape of the stress relaxationportions 75 can gradually be changed, whereby the stress relaxationportions 75 can easily be formed compared to those in which the shapechanges rapidly.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the fifth embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 14.

The fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that theextended overlap portions 74 are connected by a pair of extended joiningportions 76.

The extended joining portions 76 has an end on an opening 65 ofrespective stress relaxation portions 75 (inner ends) as startingpoints, and extend along a tear seam 73 toward a side away from secondjoining portions 63 (upper side in FIG. 14). Each of the extendedjoining portions 76 extends to a distal end of the extended overlapportion 74.

A portion of each extended overlap portion 74 that is sandwiched by thetwo extended joining portions 76 configures valve body portions 71, 72together with portions in the respective overlap portions 61 that aresandwiched by the two second joining portions 63 (two stress relaxationportions 75).

The configurations other than the above are similar to the fourthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the fourth embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the fifth embodiment configured as above, since the extended joiningportions 76 are provided on the stress relaxation portions 75, it ismore difficult for the extended overlap portions 74 to deform.Therefore, upon an occupant restraint by an upstream inflation portion47, it is difficult for the valve body portions 71, 72 to be pushed outfrom the upstream inflation portion 47 to the downstream inflationportion 48 through the opening 65 compared to the fourth embodiment inwhich the extended joining portions 76 are not provided. The timing atwhich the two valve body portions 71, 72 separate from each other in thedownstream inflation portion 48 (opening time of the pressure regulatorvalve 70) is delayed compared to the case where the extended joiningportions 76 are not provided.

Thus, the fifth embodiment achieves advantages as follows in addition tothe advantages of (1) to (10) as above.

(11) The extended joining portions 76 extend from the respective stressrelaxation portions 75 to an opposite side from the second joiningportions 63, and the extended overlap portions 74 are connected by theseextended joining portions 76.

Therefore, the valve body portions 71, 72 are less likely to be deformedin comparison to the fourth embodiment due to the extended joiningportions 76.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, it canbe made more difficult for the valve body portions 71, 72 to be pushedout (be inverted) from the upstream inflation portion 47 to thedownstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 65. As a result, thetiming at which the two valve body portions 71, 72 separate from eachother in the downstream inflation portion 48 (opening time of thepressure regulator valve 70) can further be delayed in comparison to thefourth embodiment where the extended joining portions 76 are notprovided.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the sixth embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 15.

The sixth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that anextended overlap portion 74 shown by broken line in which a long dashalternates with a pair of short dashes in FIG. 15 is omitted.

In other words, the sixth embodiment differs from the first embodimentin that stress relaxation portions 75 are added. That is, the stressrelaxation portions 75 that relaxes stress applied to respectiveportions of second joining portions 63 adjacent to an opening 65 due toopening of a pressure regulator valve 70 are provided on the overlapportions 61. The portion among each of the second joining portions 63that are adjacent to the opening 65 is formed in a curved shape in theoverlap portions 61; more specifically, the portion is formed in acurved shape that bulges toward a non-overlap portion 62 of the overlapportions 61 (lower side in FIG. 15) and toward an inner side of theopening 65, and the stress relaxation portions 75 are configured by thecurved-shape portions of the second joining portions 63.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the sixth embodiment configured as above, the stress relaxationportions 75 provided in the overlap portions 61 relaxes the stressapplied to the portions of the second joining portions 63 adjacent tothe opening 65. That is, the stress due to the opening of the pressureregulator valve 70 is received at the portions of the second joiningportions 63 that are adjacent to the opening 65, which are in this caseportions formed in the curved shape that bulges in the curvature shapetoward the non-overlap portion 62 of the overlap portions 61 (lower sidein FIG. 15) and toward the inner side of the opening 65. Since thestress is received at the wide portion formed in the curved shape, theoccurrence of the stress due to the opening of the pressure regulatorvalve 70 accumulating at particular portions in the second joiningportions 63 is unlikely to take place.

Thus, the sixth embodiment achieves advantages of (1) to (4) and (7) to(10) as above.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the seventh embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 16.

The seventh embodiment differs from the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 14)in that an extended overlap portion 74 extends from an entirety of anoverlap portion 61 to a side separating away from second joiningportions 63 (upper side in FIG. 16), whereas, in the fifth embodiment,the extended overlap portion 74 extends from only a center portion in alateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction). That is, in the seventhembodiment, the extended overlap portion 74 is extended toward thelateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) in comparison to thefifth embodiment.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the fifthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the fifth embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

The seventh embodiment configured as above has valve body portion 71, 72configured to be less likely to be deformed by the extended overlapportion 74 being extended in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection), and further it is more difficult for the valve body portion71, 72 to be pushed out (be inverted) to a downstream inflation portion48 through an opening 65. Further, it is more difficult for theoccurrence of the valve body portions 71, 72 being separated from eachother after having been inverted (pressure regulator valve 70 beingopened) to take place. Therefore, an opening time of the pressureregulator valve 70 is delayed for the elongation by the two extendedoverlap portions 74.

Thus, the seventh embodiment achieves advantages as follows in additionto the advantages of (1) to (11) as above.

(12) The extended overlap portion 74 is provided to extend from theentirety of the overlap portion 61 and away from the second joiningportions 63 (upper side in FIG. 16).

Therefore, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 can bedelayed in comparison to the fifth embodiment.

Eighth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the eighth embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 17.

The eighth embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment in aconfiguration of stress relaxation portions 75. Specifically, in theeighth embodiment, a number of second joining portions 63 is changedfrom two (the sixth embodiment) to one. Further, a section of eachsecond joining portion 63 adjacent to an opening 65 is formed in a roundshape, and the stress relaxation portion 75 is configured by thisportion.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the sixthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the sixth embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the eighth embodiment configured as above, similar to the sixthembodiment, the stress relaxation portions 75 relax the stress appliedto portions of the second joining portions 63 adjacent to the opening65. However, due to the difference in the configuration of the stressrelaxation portions 75, a degree by which the stress is relaxed differsfrom the sixth embodiment.

Thus, the eighth embodiment achieves advantages of (1) to (4) and (7) to(10) as above.

Ninth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the ninth embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 18.

The ninth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in a shape of anextended overlap portion 74. In the ninth embodiment, auxiliary extendedoverlap portions 77 shown by dots in FIG. 18 are further provided onboth sides in a direction along second joining portions 63 with theextended overlap portion 74 of the second embodiment as a core. Each ofthe auxiliary extended overlap portions 77 has a dimension (width) in alateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) that becomes narrow asit is distanced away from an overlap portion 61. Each of the auxiliaryextended overlap portions 77 has an inclined edge 77A that approachescloser to the opposing auxiliary extended overlap portion 77 on afarther side from the overlap portion 61.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the secondembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the second embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the ninth embodiment configured as above, the valve body portions 71,72 is less likely to be deformed by connecting portions of the valvebody portions 71, 72 with the overlap portions 61 being large due to theauxiliary extended overlap portions 77 being provided. For the auxiliaryextended overlap portions 77, it is more difficult for the valve bodyportions 71, 72 to be pushed out (be inverted) to a downstream inflationportion 48 through the opening 65. Further, it is more difficult for theoccurrence of the valve body portions 71, 72 being separated from eachother after having been inverted (pressure regulator valve 70 beingopened) to take place.

Thus, the ninth embodiment achieves advantages as follows in addition tothe advantages of (1) to (6) as above.

(13) As for the direction along the second joining portions 63, theauxiliary extended overlap portions 77 extending out from the overlapportion 61 to the opposite direction from the second joining portions 63are provided on both sides of the extended overlap portion 74 in thestate of being connected to the extended overlap portions 74.

Therefore, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 canfurther be delayed in comparison to the second embodiment, which onlyprovides the extended overlap portions 74 (see FIG. 11).

Tenth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the tenth embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 19.

The tenth embodiment differs from the ninth embodiment in that twoauxiliary extended overlap portions 77 are connected by a pair ofextended joining portions 76.

The extended joining portions 76 extend from respective second joiningportions 63 from sides corresponding to an opening 65 and along inclinededges 77A of respective auxiliary extended overlap portions 77 to distalends of the extended overlap portions 74. Accordingly, the respectiveextended joining portions 76 extend in directions that are inclinedrelative to the second joining portions 63. Further, in other words, aninterval between the two extended joining portions 76 becomes smaller ona farther side from the overlap portion 61.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the ninthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the ninth embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

The tenth embodiment configured as above achieves advantages of (1) to(6) and (13) as above.

Modifications of the Tenth Embodiment

The tenth embodiment may be modified as follows.

The respective extended joining portions 76 are not limited to those ina linear shape, but may be curved so as to bulge to a side by whichentireties of the extended joining portions 76 separate away from theoverlap portion 61 (upper side in FIG. 19), and contrary to this, theymay curve so as to recess toward a side by which the entireties of theextended joining portions 76 approach the overlap portion 61 (lower sidein FIG. 19).

Eleventh Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the eleventh embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21.

The eleventh embodiment differs from the first embodiment in aconfiguration of a retaining portion (time changing apparatus).Specifically, in the eleventh embodiment, the retaining portion (timechanging apparatus) is formed instead of the tear seam 73 between valvebody portions 71, 72 in a state of being caused to approach each otherso as to connect the valve body portions 71, 72, and is configured by anadhesive layer 83 that cancels the connection during a midpoint of anoccupant restraint by an inflation portion 46. The adhesive layer 83connects (adheres) the two valve body portions 71, 72 at a strength thatis lower than other joining portions, for example, the peripheraljoining portion 45, the first joining portions 54, 55, the secondjoining portions 63 and the like. The adhesive layer 83 is configured tobe more prone to breaking than the other joining portions.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the eleventh embodiment configured as above, the adhesive layer 83formed between the valve body portions 71, 72 in the state of beingcaused to approach each other acts to connect the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 by its adhering force.

The force of the adhesive layer 83 acting to connect the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 (adhering force) is larger than a force that acts toseparate the two valve body portions 71, 72 in a period before anoccupant restraint by an upstream inflation portion 47 and in a perioduntil a midpoint of the occupant restraint during the occupantrestraint. Therefore, the adhesive layer 83 is not broken, and theconnection by the adhesive layer 83 is maintained.

In contrast, from the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, the force that acts to separate the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 overwhelms the force that acts to connect the two valvebody portions 71, 72 by the adhesive layer 83 (adhering force).Therefore, the adhesive layer 83 is broken, the connection (retaining)by the adhesive layer 83 is cancelled, and the force that acts tomaintain the two valve body portions 71, 72 in a contacting statedisappears.

Accordingly, during the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, an opening time of a pressure regulator valve 70 is delayedby the period in which the two valve body portions 71, 72 are retainedin the state of approaching each other by the adhesive layer 83.Accompanying this, a time when inflation gas G in the upstream inflationportion 47 starts to flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48through the opening 65 is delayed.

Thus, the eleventh embodiment achieves an advantage of (4A) as followsinstead of the above (4), in addition to the advantages of (1) to (3) asabove.

(4A) The adhesive layer 83, which is formed between the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 in the state of being caused to approach each other andis broken from a midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, is formed as the retaining portion (time changingapparatus).

Therefore, the valve body portions 71, 72 can be retained in the stateof being caused to approach each other, and the pressure regulator valve70 can be retained in a closed state in the period before the occupantrestraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 and in the period untilthe midpoint of the occupant restraint during the occupant restraint.

In contrast, the two valve body portions 71, 72 can be caused toseparate (open the pressure regulator valve 70) from the midpoint of theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.

Modifications of the Eleventh Embodiment

The eleventh embodiment may be modified as follows.

As the retaining portion (time changing apparatus), a sticking layer(not shown) may be provided instead of the adhesive layer 83. In thiscase, the sticking layer is formed between the two valve body portions71, 72 that are in the state of being caused to approach each other, andthe two valve body portions 71, 72 are connected by the sticking forcethereof. The sticking layer continues to connect (stick together) thevalve body portions 71, 72 until midpoint of the occupant restraint bythe upstream inflation portion 47 without being broken. The stickinglayer is broken from the midpoint of the occupant restraint, whereby theseparation of the two valve body portions 71, 72 (opening of thepressure regulator valve 70) is possible. The connecting force of thesticking layer is smaller than the connecting force of the adhesivelayer and enables exfoliation of two members to be connected. On theother hand, the connecting force of the adhesive layer is equal to thestrength that the two members to be connected have, and is capable ofpreventing the exfoliation of the two members.

The adhesive layer 83 may be provided on entire surfaces of the valvebody portions 71, 72, or may be provided only at parts thereof. The sameapplies to the case where the sticking layer is provided instead of theadhesive layer 83.

Twelfth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twelfth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 22.

The twelfth embodiment differs in a configuration of a retaining portion(time changing apparatus) from the first embodiment. Specifically, inthe twelfth embodiment, the retaining portion (time changing apparatus)is configured, instead of the tear seam 73, of a hook-side fastener 84attached to one of the two valve body portions 71, 72 and a loop-sidefastener 85 attached to the other thereof, and which is capable ofdetachably attaching to the hook-side fastener 84.

The hook-side fastener 84 and the loop-side fastener 85 connect the twovalve body portions 71, 72 in a state of being caused to approach eachother, and cancel the connection from a midpoint of an occupantrestraint by an upstream inflation portion 47. The hook-side fastener 84and the loop-side fastener 85 connect the two valve body portions 71, 72with a lower strength than other joining portions, for example, aperipheral joining portion 45, first joining portions 54, 55, secondjoining portions 63 and the like, and cancellation of the connectionthereof is made easier than that of the other joining portions.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the twelfth embodiment configured as above, the connection of the twovalve body portions 71, 72 is performed by the hook-side fastener 84 andthe loop-side fastener 85 being connected to each other.

The force by which the hook-and-loop fasteners 84, 85 work to connectthe two valve body portions 71, 72 is larger than the force that acts toseparate the two valve body portions 71, 72 in the period before theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 and in theperiod within the occupant restraint until the midpoint of the occupantrestraint. Therefore, the hook-and-loop fasteners 84, 85 are notseparated, and the connection by the hook-and-loop fasteners 84, 85 ismaintained.

In contrast, from the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, the force that acts to separate the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 overwhelms the force that acts to connect the two valvebody portions 71, 72 by the hook-and-loop fasteners 84, 85. Therefore,the hook-and-loop fasteners 84, 85 are separated.

As a result, during the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, an opening time of a pressure regulator valve 70 is delayedby the period during which the two valve body portions 71, 72 areretained in the state of approaching each other by the hook-and-loopfasteners 84, 85. Accompanying this, a time when inflation gas G in theupstream inflation portion 47 starts to flow out to the downstreaminflation portion 48 through the opening 65 is delayed.

Thus, the twelfth embodiment achieves an advantage of (4B) as followsinstead of the above (4), in addition to the advantages of (1) to (3) asabove.

(4B) The hook-side fastener 84 attached to one of the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 and the loop-side fastener 85 attached to the otherthereof, and which is capable of detachably attaching to the hook-sidefastener 84 configure the retaining portion (time changing apparatus).

Therefore, the two valve body portions 71, 72 are retained in the stateof being caused to approach each other in the period before the occupantrestraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 and in the period withinthe occupant restraint until the midpoint of the occupant restraint soas to retain the pressure regulator valve 70 in a closed state.

In contrast, the two valve body portions 71, 72 can be caused toseparate (open the pressure regulator valve 70) from the midpoint of theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.

Thirteenth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the thirteenth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 23.

The thirteenth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in aconfiguration of a retaining portion (time changing apparatus).Specifically, in the thirteenth embodiment, instead of the tear seam 73,the retaining portion (time changing apparatus) is configured by a firstfrictional portion 86 and a second frictional portion 87. The firstfrictional portion 86 is formed at least at a part of a valve bodyportion 71 on one side. The second frictional portion 87 is formed atleast at a part of a valve body portion 72 on the other side under acondition of being at a section that opposes the first frictionalportion 86. The second frictional portion 87 generates frictional forceupon closing a pressure regulator valve 70 by making contact with thefirst frictional portion 86. In the thirteenth embodiment, an entiretyof each of an upper fabric portion 56 and a lower fabric portion 57configuring a dividing portion 50 is formed by a material having a highfrictional coefficient, for example, rubber, elastomer, and the like.Further, a surface of the valve body portion 71 that faces the valvebody portion 72 is configured as the first frictional portion 86, and asurface of the valve body portion 72 that faces the valve body portion71 is configured as the second frictional portion 87.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the thirteenth embodiment configured as above, the first frictionalportion 86 formed on the valve body portion 71 on the one side and thesecond frictional portion 87 formed on the valve body portion 72 on theother side act to keep the valve body portions 71, 72 to be in contactby contacting each other.

In a period before an occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47 and in a period within the occupant restraint until amidpoint of the occupant restraint, the force by the two frictionalportions 86, 87 acting to keep the valve body portions 71, 72 to be inthe state of contacting each other is larger than a force that acts toseparate the two valve body portions 71, 72. Therefore, the twofrictional portions 86, 87 are not separated, and the contacted state ofthe two valve body portions 71, 72 is continued by the two frictionalportions 86, 87.

In contrast, from the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, the force that acts to separate the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 overwhelms the force by the two frictional portions 86,87 acting to keep the valve body portions 71, 72 to be in the state ofcontacting each other, and the two frictional portions 86, 87 areseparated.

Therefore, during the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, an opening time of a pressure regulator valve 70 is delayedby the period in which the two valve body portions 71, 72 are retainedin the state of contacting each other by the two frictional portions 86,87. Accompanying this, a time when inflation gas G in the upstreaminflation portion 47 starts to flow out to the downstream inflationportion 48 through the opening 65 is delayed.

Thus, the thirteenth embodiment achieves an advantage of (4C) as followsinstead of the above (4), in addition to the advantages of (1) to (3) asabove.

(4C) The retaining portion (time changing apparatus) is configured bythe first frictional portion 86 formed at least at a part of the valvebody portion 71 on the one side, and the second frictional portion 87formed at least at a part of the valve body portion 72 on the otherside, and that generates the frictional force upon closing the pressureregulator valve 70 by making contact with the first frictional portion86.

Therefore, the valve body portions 71, 72 can be retained in the stateof contacting each other, and the pressure regulator valve 70 can beretained in a closed state in the period before the occupant restraintby the upstream inflation portion 47 and in the period within theoccupant restraint until the midpoint of the occupant restraint.

In contrast, the two valve body portions 71, 72 can be caused toseparate (open the pressure regulator valve 70) from the midpoint of theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.

Modifications of the Thirteenth Embodiment

The thirteenth embodiment may be modified as follows.

The first frictional portion 86 may be formed only at a part of thevalve body portion 71. Similarly, the second frictional portion 87 maybe formed only at a part of the valve body portion 72. In summary, areasof the two frictional portions 86, 87 in the valve body portions 71, 72may be changed on condition that the second frictional portion 87 cangenerate the frictional force upon closing the pressure regulator valve70 by making contact with the first frictional portion 86.

Fourteenth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the fourteenth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 24 to FIG. 26.

In the fourteenth embodiment, overlap portions 61 including the valvebody portions 71, 72 are arranged on a downstream inflation portion 48before inflation of an inflation portion 46. Further, stress relaxationportions 75 are provided on the overlap portions 61.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the fourteenth embodiment configured as above, the overlap portions61 including the valve body portions 71, 72 operate somewhat differentfrom the first embodiment.

A dividing portion 50 in a state of being folded in half is connected toboth of corresponding fabric portions 43, 44 of an airbag 40 by firstjoining portions 54, 55 at each of an inner end 52 and an outer end 53,and is connected (sewn together) to the fabric portions 43, 44 byperipheral joining portions 45 at each end (upper end and lower end) ina direction along a folding line 51 (see FIG. 24A). Therefore, as shownin FIG. 25A, when the inflation of the upstream inflation portion 47starts, the dividing portion 50 in the state of being folded in half ispulled. Tension is applied on the dividing portion 50 in a verticaldirection (up and down direction) and in a lateral direction (vehiclewidthwise direction), whereby the dividing portion 50 acts to shift to atensed state.

Similar to the first embodiment, in the fourteenth embodiment, in thedividing portion 50 in which a dimension L1 in the vertical direction(up and down direction) is longer than a dimension L2 in the lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction), an opening 65 is provided alongthe lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction: left and rightdirection in FIG. 26). See FIG. 8. According to this, in the dividingportion 50, stronger tension is likely to be applied in the lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction) than in the vertical direction(up and down direction). Therefore, the opening 65 is prone to beingclosed according to a magnitude relationship of the tension as above.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24A, 24B, entireties of the overlap portions61 are bent and are overlapped with a non-overlap portion 62 of thedividing portion 50, and further are connected to the correspondingfabric portions 43, 44 of the airbag 40 together with the inner end 52and the outer end 53 of the dividing portion 50 by the first joiningportions 54, 55 at the opposite ends in the direction along secondjoining portions 63 (lateral direction: vehicle widthwise direction).See FIG. 5. Not only to the dividing portion 50 upon when the upstreaminflation portion 47 is inflated, the tension is applied also in thedirection in which the opening 65 extends (lateral direction: vehiclewidthwise direction) on the overlap portions 61 including the valve bodyportions 71, 72. Compared to a case in which the opposite ends of theoverlap portions 61 are not connected to the fabric portions 43, 44 ofthe airbag 40 in the direction along the second joining portions 63(lateral direction: vehicle widthwise direction), the interval betweenthe valve body portions 71, 72 is more prone to be closed. Therefore,inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 does not flow outeasily to the downstream inflation portion 48 by flowing through theopening 65 and between the two valve body portions 71, 72.

Since the valve body portions 71, 72 are positioned on the downstreaminflation portion 48, an occasion in which an internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 is applied to the valve body portions 71,72 from both sides in their overlapping direction, and the two valvebody portions 71, 72 are in a self-sealed state does not occur. Anoccasion in which the overlap portions 61 including the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 being pressed against the non-overlap portion 62 of thedividing portion 50 by this internal pressure also does not occur.

While the inflation gas is supplied to the upstream inflation portion 47in a state in which the valve body portions 71, 72 are closed, as shownin FIG. 25B, when the upstream inflation portion 47 deforms by beingpressed by an external force due to an occupant restraint being applied,the internal pressure PI of the upstream inflation portion 47 rises andthe dividing portion 50 is pressed toward a downstream inflation portion48. Accompanying this pressing, the tension applied on the dividingportion 50 changes. With respect to upper fabric portions 56 connectedto the fabric portions 43, 44 by the peripheral joining portions 45,tension in a direction approaching the peripheral joining portions 45,that is, tension directed upward is increased due to deformation of theupper fabric portions 56 toward the downstream inflation portion 48. Asfor lower fabric portions 57 connected to the fabric portions 43, 44 bythe peripheral joining portions 45, tension in a direction approachingthe peripheral joining portions 45, that is, tension directed downwardis increased due to deformation of the lower fabric portions 57 towardthe downstream inflation portion 48. According to the changes in thetension as above, the opening 65 in a slit shape is pulled in thevertical direction (up and down direction) and is opened. As a width W1of the opening 65 in the vertical direction (up and down direction)enlarges, the valve body portion 71 on the upper side is pulled upwardas shown by an arrow AU, and the valve body portion 72 on the lower sideis pulled downward as shown by an arrow AL, whereby the overlappingportions of the two valve body portions 71, 72 gradually reduces asshown in FIG. 25C. As a result, the inflation gas G in the upstreaminflation portion 47 flows out to the downstream inflation portion 48 byflowing through the opening 65 and between the two valve body portions71, 72.

Accordingly, in the fourteenth embodiment, which arranges the overlapportions 61 including the valve body portions 71, 72 on the downstreaminflation portion 48 before the inflation of the inflation portion 46(upstream inflation portion 47), the pressure by the inflation gas G isnot applied from both sides in the overlapping direction to the overlapportions 61 including the valve body portions 71, 72. Therefore, as isdifferent from the first embodiment, the effects of causing the overlapportions 61 to be in the self-sealed state by causing them to make tightcontact by the aforementioned pressure, and of pressing the overlapportions 61 against the non-overlap portion 62. Thus, an opening time ofthe pressure regulator valve 70 becomes earlier than that in the firstembodiment.

However, in the fourteenth embodiment, the overlap portions 61 arefolded along the second joining portion 63, and are overlapped on thenon-overlap portion 62, and the opposite ends of the overlap portions 61are connected to the corresponding fabric portions 43, 44 of the airbag40 together with the non-overlap portion 62 in the direction along thesecond joining portions 63 (lateral direction: vehicle widthwisedirection). Further, in the dividing portion 50 of which dimension L1 inthe vertical direction (up and down direction) is longer than thedimension L2 in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction), theopening 65 is provided along the lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection), in which stronger tension is applied.

Therefore, when the upstream inflation portion 47 is inflated, not onlythe strong tension is applied to the dividing portion 50 in thedirection in which the opening 65 extends (lateral direction: vehiclewidthwise direction), but also the strong tension can be applied to theoverlap portions 61 in the direction in which the opening 65 extends(lateral direction: vehicle widthwise direction). As a result, the valvebody portions 71, 72 can be made to make tight contact with each other,so that the inflation gas G in the upstream inflation portion 47 isrestricted from flowing out to the downstream inflation portion 48.

A force that acts to retain the valve body portions 71, 72 in the stateof contacting each other by the tear seam 73 overwhelms a force thatacts to separate the valve body portions 71, 72 in a period before theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 and in a periodwithin the occupant restraint until the midpoint of the occupantrestraint. Therefore, the tear seam 73 is not broken, and the connectionby the tear seam 73 is maintained. The two valve body portions 71, 72are retained in the state of contacting each other, and the pressureregulator valve 70 is retained in the closed state.

In contrast, from the midpoint of the occupant restraint by theinflation portion 46, the force that works to separate the two valvebody portions 71, 72 overwhelms the force that acts to retain the valvebody portions 71, 72 in the state of contacting each other by the tearseam 73. The tear seam 73 is broken, the connection (retaining) by thetear seam 73 is cancelled, and the force that works to keep the twovalve body portions 71, 72 in the contacting state disappears. The twovalve body portions 71, 72 are thus capable of separating (the pressureregulator valve 70 is capable of opening).

Accordingly, during the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 isdelayed by the period during which the two valve body portions 71, 72are retained in the state of contacting each other by the tear seam 73.Accompanying this, a time when inflation gas G in the upstream inflationportion 47 starts to flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48through the opening 65 is delayed.

Further, in the fourteenth embodiment, since the stress relaxationportions 75 are provided on the two overlap portions 61, the stressrelaxation portions 75 relax the stress applied to portions of thesecond joining portions 63 adjacent to the opening 65.

Thus, according to the fourteenth embodiment, advantages of (1) to (4)and (7) to (10) as above can also be achieved.

Fifteenth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the fifteenth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28.

Similar to the first embodiment, the fifteenth embodiment is on thepremise of a side airbag apparatus that includes a dividing portion 50,which divides an inflation portion 46 into an upstream inflation portion47 and a downstream inflation portion 48, and an opening 65, which isconfigured by a slit extending in a lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection), when the dividing portion 50 is tensed.

Further, an inner end 52 and an outer end 53 of the dividing portion 50configure a main portion of a peripheral portion of the dividing portion50. The inner end 52 is connected to an inner fabric portion 43 of anairbag 40 by a first joining portion 54. The outer end 53 is connectedto an outer fabric portion 44 of the airbag 40 by a first joiningportion 55. This feature is also similar to the first embodiment. SeeFIG. 5.

In the fifteenth embodiment, the inner end 52 of the dividing portion 50is connected to the inner fabric portion 43 by an auxiliary firstjoining portion 88 in addition to the first joining portion 54. As shownin FIG. 27, in an airbag module AM in which the airbag 40 is in anon-inflated and deployed state, the auxiliary first joining portion 88is positioned at an intermediate portion in a vertical direction (up anddown direction) of the airbag 40. Further, the auxiliary first joiningportion 88 is curved so as to bulge toward a pressure regulator valve70.

The auxiliary first joining portion 88 restrains deployment of the innerend 52 at a location inward in a lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection) of the first joining portion 54 to the inner fabric portion43 of the airbag 40 when the dividing portion 50 is tensed due to theinflation of the upstream inflation portion 47.

Although not shown, the outer end 53 of the dividing portion 50 is alsoconnected to the outer fabric portion 44 by the auxiliary first joiningportion 88 in addition to the first joining portion 55.

A time changing apparatus that changes the opening time of the pressureregulator valve 70 to a time different from the opening time solelydependent on the pressure regulator valve 70 upon the occupant restraintby the upstream inflation portion 47 is configured by the auxiliaryfirst joining portions 88.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the fifteenth embodiment configured as above, before when theoccupant is restrained upon the inflation of the upstream inflationportion 47, tension is applied on the dividing portion 50 in a verticaldirection (up and down direction) and in a lateral direction (vehiclewidthwise direction), whereby the dividing portion 50 acts to shift to atensed state.

If the dividing portion 50 has a sufficiently long dimension in thevertical direction compared to in the lateral direction, in the dividingportion 50, stronger tension is more easily applied to the shortdirection (lateral direction) than in the long direction (verticaldirection).

On the other hand, the dimension L1 of the dividing portion 50 in thevertical direction and the dimension L2 thereof in the lateral directionare determined by an outer shape of the dividing portion 50. The outershape of the dividing portion 50 is determined by the first joiningportions 54, 55 when at least the main portion of the peripheral portionof the dividing portion 50 is connected to the fabric portions 43, 44 ofthe airbag 40 only by the first joining portions 54, 55.

Further, in the fifteenth embodiment in which the auxiliary firstjoining portions 88 are provided, a part of the peripheral portion ofthe dividing portion 50 is connected to the fabric portions 43, 44 ofthe airbag 40 at at a location more inward in the lateral direction(vehicle widthwise direction) than the first joining portions 54, 55when the dividing portion comes to be in the tensed state. Therefore, asshown in FIG. 28, the dimension L2 of the dividing portion 50 in thelateral direction is shorter than that in the case where the auxiliaryfirst joining portions 88 are not provided. Therefore, stronger tensiontends to be applied in the lateral direction than in the verticaldirection on the dividing portion 50.

The opening 65 is closed by being pulled more strongly toward a closingdirection (lateral direction) than in an opening direction (verticaldirection). The valve body portions 71, 72 are pressed by the inflationgas in the upstream inflation portion 47 to contact each other.

As above, by the pressure regulator valve 70 closing, the flow of theinflation gas from the upstream inflation portion 47 to the downstreaminflation portion 48 is restricted, and only the internal pressure ofthe upstream inflation portion 47 is increased.

On the other hand, when the airbag 40 is pressed against the occupant bythe impact, the occupant primarily is restrained by the upstreaminflation portion 47.

At this time, the upstream inflation portion 47 of the inflation portion46 is pressed by the external force applied due to the occupantrestraint and is deformed. Accompanying this, the tension that has beenapplied strongly in the lateral direction on the dividing portion 50reduces. A difference in the tension between in the vertical directionand the lateral direction becomes smaller, the valve body portions 71,72 are bent through the dividing portion 50, and the valve body portions71, 72 separate from each other.

However, the degree of reduction of the tension in the lateral directionis smaller than that in the case where the auxiliary first joiningportions 88 are not provided. Accompanying this, the difference in thetension between in the vertical direction and the lateral direction islarger than that in the case where the auxiliary first joining portions88 are not provided. Therefore, it is more difficult for the valve bodyportions 71, 72 to open, and the opening time of the pressure regulatorvalve 70 is more delayed in comparison to the case where the auxiliaryfirst joining portions 88 are not provided. Accompanying this, theoutflow starting time of the inflation gas from the upstream inflationportion 47 to the downstream inflation portion 48 is delayed.

By the opening of the pressure regulator valve 70, the inflation gas inthe upstream inflation portion 47 flows out to the downstream inflationportion 48 through the opening 65, the internal pressure in the upstreaminflation portion 47 reduces, and an internal pressure of the downstreaminflation portion 48 increases. The downstream inflation portion 48 isdeployed and inflated, and the inflation portion 46 restrains theoccupant by the downstream inflation portion 48 as well, in addition tothe upstream inflation portion 47.

Thus, the fifteenth embodiment achieves advantages as follows inaddition to the advantages of (1) and (2) as above.

(14) The auxiliary first joining portions 88 are provided, whichrestrains a part of an operation of the dividing portion 50 with respectto the airbag 40 at the inner side in the lateral direction (vehiclewidthwise direction) more than the first joining portions 54, 55 whenthe dividing portion 50 comes to be in the tensed. The auxiliary firstjoining portions 88 are used as the time changing apparatus.

Therefore, the valve body portions 71, 72 are configured not to open soeasily, and the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 can bemore delayed in comparison to the case where the auxiliary first joiningportions 88 are not provided.

Modifications of the Fifteenth Embodiment

The fifteenth embodiment may be modified as follows.

The auxiliary first joining portions 88 may be provided integrally tothe first joining portions 54, 55. In this case, the auxiliary firstjoining portions 88 are formed continuously to the first joiningportions 54, 55. In this case, the first joining portions 54, 55 have aconfiguration in which portions surrounded by a frame of a one-dot chainline in FIG. 27, that is, portions positioned between opposite ends ofthe auxiliary first joining portions 88 are omitted.

The fifteenth embodiment may be implemented by a side airbag apparatushaving a plurality of dividing portions 50 in the inflation portion 46.In this case, the auxiliary first joining portions 88 are provided in atleast one dividing portion 50.

Sixteenth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the sixteenth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 29 and FIG. 30.

Similar to the first embodiment, the sixteenth embodiment is on thepremise of having the following configuration.

A part of a wall portion of an inflation portion 46 is configured by adividing portion 50.

The dividing portion 50 is configured by a pair of fabric portions(upper fabric portion 56, lower fabric portion 57) aligned in a verticaldirection (up and down direction).

Parts of the two fabric portions 56, 57 are configured as a pair ofoverlap portions 61 configured by overlapping ends 58, 59 of the twofabric portions 56, 57 in a band shape extending in a lateral direction(vehicle widthwise direction).

The overlap portions 61 are connected by second joining portions 63 atboundary portions with a non-overlap portion 62 that is not overlapped,and are folded upward or downward with the second joining portions 63 asa fulcrum point (downward in the sixteenth embodiment).

An opening 65 is formed by the connection of the overlap portions 61 bythe second joining portions 63 being cancelled in the dividing portion50.

Portions of the two overlap portions 61 corresponding to the opening 65are configured as the valve body portions 71, 72. The valve bodyportions 71, 72 are formed capable of displacing (inverted) to an outerside (toward the downstream inflation portion 48) of the upstreaminflation portion 47 through the opening 65 upon opening of a pressureregulator valve 70.

In addition to the configuration on the premise as above, in thesixteenth embodiment, a restricting portion 94 is provided as a timechanging apparatus. The restricting portion 94 is for restricting one ofthe valve body portions 71, 72 positioned on an upstream side (valvebody portion 72) from being displaced to the outer side (downstreaminflation portion 48) of the upstream inflation portion 47 until amidpoint of an occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.More specifically, a belt 91 is provided in the upstream inflationportion 47. One end of the belt 91 (each of upper ends in FIG. 29 andFIG. 30) is connected to the valve body portion 72 by means such assewing. The other end of the belt 91 (each of lower ends in FIG. 29 andFIG. 30) is connected to a voluntary position of the wall portion of theupstream inflation portion 47 by means such as sewing. A part of thebelt 91 is configured as a redundant portion 92 that comes to be in astate of being slack in the upstream inflation portion 47 beforeinflation of the upstream inflation portion 47. Further, a retainingportion 93 for retaining the redundant portion 92 in the slack state,and cancelling the retaining at the inflation of the upstream inflationportion 47 is provided.

The retaining portion 93 for example retains the redundant portion 92 inthe slack state by connecting the redundant portion 92 folded in half ata boundary portion with the remainder of the belt 91. The retainingportion 93 connects the redundant portion 92 at a lower strength thanother joining portions, for example a peripheral joining portion 45,first joining portions 54, 55, second joining portions 63 and the like.The retaining portion 93 is configured to be more prone to being brokenthan the other joining portions. The retaining portion 93 is formed bysewing the redundant portion 92 by using a sewing thread. Then, therestricting portion 94 is configured by the belt 91 having the redundantportion 92 and the retaining portion 93.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the sixteenth embodiment configured as above, the pair of overlapportions 61 is positioned inside the upstream inflation portion 47before the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47. Oneof the two overlap portions 61 is positioned on the other upstream side(or downstream side). The one positioned on the downstream side (rightside of FIG. 30) is folded downward, whereas the one positioned on theupstream side (left side in FIG. 30) is substantially not folded. Thesame applies to the valve body portion 71, 72 formed by the parts of therespective overlap portions 61. That is, the valve body portion 71positioned on the downstream side is folded downward, and the valve bodyportion 72 positioned on the upstream side is substantially not folded.

The valve body portion 72 positioned on the upstream side can move at agreater degree than the valve body portion 71 positioned on thedownstream side. This is because in the valve body portion 71 positionedon the downstream side, the state of being bent is a resistance of adisplacement of the valve body portion 71.

In the opening of the pressure regulator valve 70, the two valve bodyportions 71, 72 are displaced to the outer side (toward the downstreaminflation portion 48) of the upstream inflation portion 47 through theopening 65, whereas the valve body portion 72 positioned on the upstreamside is more likely to be displaced to the downstream side than thevalve body portion 71 positioned on the downstream side. In other words,a difference is generated in the likelihood of being displaced betweenthe valve body portion 72 positioned on the upstream side and the valvebody portion 71 positioned on the downstream side.

In this respect, by the restricting portion 94 being provided, the valvebody portion 72 positioned on the upstream side within the two valvebody portions 71, 72 is restricted from being displaced to the outerside (toward the downstream inflation portion 48) of the upstreaminflation portion 47 until the midpoint of the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47. That is, the belt 91 in which theredundant portion 92 is retained in the slack state is tensed by theretaining portion 93, and the displacement of the valve body portion 72to the downstream side is restricted. Accordingly, due to therestriction, a time at which the valve body portion 72 positioned on theupstream side is displaced is delayed. The difference in the likelihoodof being displaced between the valve body portion 72 positioned on theupstream side and the valve body portion 71 positioned on the downstreamside is made smaller.

The retaining portion 93 is broken during when the upstream inflationportion 47 is inflated and restrains the occupant. The retaining of theredundant portion 92 by the retaining portion 93 is cancelled by thisbreaking, the redundant portion 92 is extended, and the length of thebelt 91 is elongated. The valve body portion 72 is pushed out to thedownstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 65 together with thevalve body portion 71 and is thereby inverted, and the pressureregulator valve 70 is opened.

Thus, the sixteenth embodiment achieves advantages as follows inaddition to the advantages of (1) and (2) as above.

(15) The restricting portion 94 that restricts the valve body portion 72positioned on the upstream side within the two valve body portions 71,72 from displacing toward the downstream inflation portion 48 on theouter side from the upstream inflation portion 47 until the midpoint ofthe occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 is provided,and this is used as the time changing apparatus.

Thus, due to the restriction by the restricting portion 94, the time atwhich the valve body portion 72 positioned on the upstream side isdisplaced to the outer side (toward downstream inflation portion 48) ofthe upstream inflation portion 47 upon the opening of the pressureregulator valve 70 can be delayed. The difference in the likelihood ofbeing displaced between the two valve body portions 71, 72 can be madesmaller, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 can bedelayed, and the time when the inflation gas starts to flow out from theupstream inflation portion 47 can be delayed.

Seventeenth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the seventeenth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 31.

The seventeenth embodiment differs from the sixteenth embodiment in aconfiguration of a restricting portion that restricts displacement of avalve body portion 72. Specifically, a part of an upper fabric portion56 of a dividing portion 50 is configured as a redundant portion 95 thatis in a state of being slack within an upstream inflation portion 47before inflation of the upstream inflation portion 47. Further, aretaining portion 96 for retaining the redundant portion 95 in the slackstate and cancelling the retaining at the inflation of the upstreaminflation portion 47 is provided. The retaining portion 96 retains theredundant portion 95 in the slack state for example by connecting theredundant portion 95 folded in half at a boundary portion with aremaining portion of the upper fabric portion 56. The retaining portion96 connects the redundant portion 95 at a lower strength than otherjoining portions, for example a peripheral joining portion 45, firstjoining portions 54, 55, second joining portions 63 and the like. Theretaining portion 96 is configured to be more prone to being broken thanthe other joining portions. The retaining portion 96 is formed by sewingthe redundant portion 95 by using a sewing thread.

Further, a restricting portion 97 is configured by the redundant portion95 and the retaining portion 96. Different from the sixteenthembodiment, no belt 91 is used.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the sixteenthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the sixteenth embodimentare given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the seventeenth embodiment configured as above, the redundant portion95 is retained in the slack state by the retaining portion 96 until amidpoint of an occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.Although the upper fabric portion 56 and a lower fabric portion 57 ofthe dividing portion 50 are caused to be tensed in a spherical shapebulging toward a downstream inflation portion 48, the displacement ofthe upper fabric portion 56 is restricted by the redundant portion 95.Accompanying this, the valve body portion 72 is restricted from beingdisplaced to an outer side of the upstream inflation portion 47 (towardthe downstream inflation portion 48). Therefore restriction, the timewhen the valve body portion 72 on the upstream side is displaced to theouter side of the upstream inflation portion 47 (toward the downstreaminflation portion 48) is delayed. The difference in the likelihood ofbeing displaced between the valve body portion 72 on the upstream sideand the valve body portion 71 on the downstream side is made smaller.

The retaining portion 96 is broken during when the occupant isrestrained by the upstream inflation portion 47 being inflated. By thisbreaking, the retaining of the redundant portion 95 by the retainingportion 96 is cancelled. The redundant portion 95 is stretched, and dueto that elongation, the upper fabric portion 56 is caused to be tensedfurther in the spherical shape bulging to the outer side of the upstreaminflation portion 47 (toward the downstream inflation portion 48). Thevalve body portion 72 is pushed out (inverted) to a downstream inflationportion 48 through an opening 65 together with a valve body portion 71,and a pressure regulator valve 70 thereby opens.

Thus, according to the seventeenth embodiment, although the manner ofthe displacement restriction of the valve body portion 72 by therestricting portion 97 is different, advantages similar to (1), (2), and(15) as above are achieved.

Eighteenth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the eighteenth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 32.

Among side airbag apparatuses, there are ones in which an upper fabricportion 56 and a lower fabric portion 57 configuring a dividing portion50 are tensed to bulge toward a downstream inflation portion 48 at asame degree. In such cases, an opening 65 does not open easily due tothe manners of tension of the upper fabric portion 56 and the lowerfabric portion 57 being at the same degree, and there is a risk thatvalve body portions 71, 72 are not pushed out through the opening 65easily (are not inverted easily).

Thus, in the eighteenth embodiment, a restricting portion is provided asa time changing apparatus. The restricting portion is for restrictingone of the upper fabric portion 56 and the lower fabric portion 57(which is herein the upper fabric portion 56) from displacing to theouter side of the upstream inflation portion 47 (toward the downstreaminflation portion 48) from the midpoint of the occupant restraint. Thebelt 98 is used as a restricting portion and is arranged in the upstreaminflation portion 47. One end of the belt 98 (right end in FIG. 32) isconnected to the upper fabric portion 56 by means such as sewing. Theother end of the belt 98 (left end in FIG. 32) is not shown but isconnected to a portion of the wall portion of the upstream inflationportion 47 that is on an upstream side (position closer to the inflator31) of the dividing portion 50 by means such as sewing.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the eighteenth embodiment configured as above, the belt 98 comes tobe in the tensed state in the midpoint of the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47. By the belt 98, the upper fabric portion56 is restricted from being tensed so as to bulge toward the downstreaminflation portion 48 (being displaced to the outer side of the upstreaminflation portion 47). No such restriction is performed for the lowerfabric portion 57. The lower fabric portion 57 is tensed to bulge morelargely toward the downstream inflation portion 48 than the upper fabricportion 56 as shown by a broken line in which a long dash alternateswith a pair of short dashes in FIG. 32. Accordingly, since the mannersof tension differ between the upper fabric portion 56 and the lowerfabric portion 57, the opening 65 is easily opened. The two valve bodyportions 71, 72 are more easily pushed out (inverted) through theopening 65, and an opening time of a pressure regulator valve 70 becomesearlier compared to those in which the belt 98 (restricting portion) isnot provided.

Thus, the eighteenth embodiment achieves advantages as follows inaddition to the advantages of (1) and (2) as above.

(16) The restricting portion (belt 98) for restricting one of the upperfabric portion 56 and the lower fabric portion 57 configuring thedividing portion 50 from being displaced to the outer side of theupstream inflation portion 47 (toward the downstream inflation portion48) from the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47 is provided, and is configured as the time changingapparatus.

Therefore, by the restriction by the belt 98, the opening 65 is madeeasier to open, the opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 ismade earlier, and an outflow starting time of the inflation gas can bemade earlier.

Nineteenth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the nineteenth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 33 to FIG. 40.

As shown in FIG. 37, a dividing portion 50 in which a dimension L1 in avertical direction is longer than a dimension L2 in a lateral direction(left and right direction in FIG. 37) when coming to be in a tensedstate of the nineteenth embodiment is configured by two fabric portions(inner fabric portion 101, outer fabric portion 102) arranged in thelateral direction. As shown in FIG. 33 to FIG. 36, in the fabricportions 101, 102, ends 103, 104 thereof are overlapped in a narrow bandshape in the vertical direction in a state in which end edges 103E, 104Eof the ends 103, 104 are made to match. The fabric portions 101, 102 areconnected to each other with a band-shaped overlap portion 61 by secondjoining portions 63 extending linearly in the vertical direction at aboundary portion with other portion (non-overlap portion). The secondjoining portions 63 are separated at a certain distance from the endedges 103E, 104E of the two fabric portions 101, 102.

A pressure regulator valve 70 is provided in the dividing portion 50.More specifically, the second joining portions 63 are released of theirconnection at parts thereof (center portion in the vertical direction inthe nineteenth embodiment). At the center portion in the verticaldirection, the second joining portions 63 that connect the fabricportions 101, 102 are not provided. The portions where the connectionhas been cancelled configure slit-shaped openings 65 that communicatethe upstream inflation portion 47 and the downstream inflation portion48.

In the overlap portion 61, portions corresponding to the opening 65(proximal portions, more accurately, portions between the opening 65 andthe end edges 103E, 104E) configure a pair of valve body portions 71,72. The overlap portion 61 having the pair of valve body portions 71, 72at parts thereof is arranged on the upstream inflation portion 47 beforeinflation of the inflation portion 46. Further, the opening 65 and thevalve body portions 71, 72 are positioned at an intermediate portion ofthe dividing portion 50 in the vertical direction.

Further, the band-shaped overlap portion 61 is connected (sewn together)to the fabric portions 43, 44 of an airbag 40 at opposite ends in adirection along the second joining portions 63, that is, at an upper endand a lower end by the peripheral joining portion 45 described above,similar to the dividing portion 50 in the state of being folded in half.Different from the first embodiment, the overlap portion 61 is notfolded to a non-overlap portion side.

Further, as a time changing apparatus that changes the opening time ofthe pressure regulator valve 70 upon the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47 to a time that is different from theopening time solely due to the pressure regulator valve 70, a retainingportion that retains the pressure regulator valve 70 in a closed state,and that cancels the retaining from the midpoint of the occupantrestraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 is provided. Theretaining portion is configured by a tear seam 73 that connects thevalve body portions 71, 72 in the state of being caused to contact eachother, and that is broken from the midpoint of the occupant restraint,similar to the first embodiment.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the nineteenth embodiment configured as above, when a motor vehiclereceives impact by a side collision and the like and the inflation gasis supplied from an inflator 31, the upstream inflation portion 47starts to inflate.

In an inflation portion 46, the dividing portion 50 in a state of beingfolded in half is arranged in a state of positioning the second joiningportions 63 on an upstream side than an inner end 52 and an outer end53. Further, the dividing portion 50 is connected to the correspondingfabric portions 43, 44 of the airbag 40 by first joining portions 54, 55respectively at the inner end 52 and the outer end 53. Further, thedividing portion 50 is connected to the fabric portions 43, 44 by theperipheral joining portions 45 respectively at opposite ends (upper endand lower end) in a direction along the second joining portions 63 (seeFIG. 33). Therefore, when the inflation of the upstream inflationportion 47 is started as above, the dividing portion 50 in the state ofbeing folded in half is pulled. Tension in a direction along the secondjoining portions 63 (vertical direction: up and down direction) and inan orthogonally intersecting direction (lateral direction: vehiclewidthwise direction) is applied to the dividing portion 50 (see FIG.37). By this tension, the dividing portion 50 comes to be in the tensedstate (see FIG. 36).

In the nineteenth embodiment, in the dividing portion 50 satisfying arelationship of L1>L2, the opening 65 is provided to extend in thevertical direction (up and down direction) (see FIG. 37). On the otherhand, in the dividing portion 50, stronger tension tends to be appliedin a direction with a smaller dimension (lateral direction: vehiclewidthwise direction) than in a direction with a larger dimension(vertical direction: up and down direction). Therefore, by the abovemagnitude relationship of the tension, there is a risk that the opening65 might be opened.

However, as shown in FIG. 38, as to the overlap portions 61 includingthe valve body portions 71, 72 positioned on the upstream inflationportion 47, the internal pressure PI of the upstream inflation portion47 that rises due to the supply of the inflation gas is applied fromboth sides in an overlapping direction of the overlap portions 61 (bothsides in the vehicle widthwise direction: up and down direction of FIG.38). The valve body portions 71, 72 come to be in a self-sealed state ofmaking tight contact with each other. The dividing portion 50 completelydivides the inflation portion 46 into the upstream inflation portion 47and the downstream inflation portion 48 except at the portion of thepressure regulator valve 70. Therefore, the inflation gas in theupstream inflation portion 47 is restricted from flowing out to thedownstream inflation portion 48 from between the two valve body portions71, 72 and through the opening 65, as well as through other portions.

When the inflation of the upstream inflation portion 47 progresses dueto the supply of the inflation gas, as shown in FIG. 39, the overlapportions 61 are pushed out toward the downstream inflation portion 48through the opening 65 (valve body portion 71, 72 are inverted) only atthe valve body portion 71, 72 by the increased internal pressure PI ofthe upstream inflation portion 47. At this time, even if the opening 65is pulled and expanded in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection) by the dividing portion 50 being tensed, the valve bodyportions 71, 72 act to maintain the closed state by making contact attheir distal ends 71T, 72T. That is, by the dividing portion 50 beingtensed, a force acts on the opening 65 and the valve body portions 71,72 to open the same. This force is the largest at the opening 65,becomes smaller as the distance from the opening 65 increases, and isthe minimum at the distal ends 71T, 72T of the valve body portions 71,72. As a result, the pressure regulator valve 70 maintains the closedstate, and the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 isstill restricted from flowing out to the downstream inflation portion 48through the opening 65 and between the valve body portions 71, 72.

Further, as shown in FIG. 40, upon the restraint of the occupant, whenan external force by the entering body side portion 11 is applied andthe upstream inflation portion 47 is pressed (collapsed) and deformedfrom the outer side, tension applied to the dividing portion 50 reduces.By this reduction, the tension applied to the opening 65 is decreased.Further, accompanying the deformation of the upstream inflation portion47, with the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47further increasing, the dividing portion 50 is pressed toward thedownstream inflation portion 48, and the tension applied to the dividingportion 50 changes.

Under such a circumstance, the opening 65 is opened by the increase inthe internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47. Further, thevalve body portion 71 and the valve body portion 72 are displaced to thesides separating away from each other (outer side and inner side). Bythese deformations, when the distal ends 71T, 72T are separated fromeach other, and the pressure regulator valve 70 comes to be in an openedstate, the inflation gas G in the upstream inflation portion 47 startsto flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48 through the opening65 and between the two valve body portions 71, 72 as shown by an arrowin FIG. 40.

Incidentally, upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, the pressure regulator valve 70 is opened as above, however,the time when it is opened is changed by the time changing apparatus.

That is, in the period before the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47 and in the period within the occupant restraintuntil the midpoint of the occupant restraint, the force that acts toretain the valve body portions 71, 72 in the state of contacting eachother by the tear seam 73 overwhelms the force that acts to separate thevalve body portions 71, 72. Therefore, the tear seam 73 is not broken,and the connection by the tear seam 73 is maintained. The two valve bodyportions 71, 72 are retained in the state of contacting each other, andthe pressure regulator valve 70 is retained in the closed state.

In contrast, from the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, the force that works to separate the two valvebody portions 71, 72 overwhelms the force that acts to retain the valvebody portions 71, 72 in the state of contacting each other by the tearseam 73. The tear seam 73 is broken, the connection (retaining) by thetear seam 73 is cancelled, and the force that works to keep the twovalve body portions 71, 72 in the contacting state disappears. The twovalve body portions 71, 72 are thus capable of separating (the pressureregulator valve 70 is capable of opening).

During the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, theopening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 is delayed by the periodduring which the two valve body portions 71, 72 are retained in thestate of contacting each other by the tear seam 73. Accompanying this, atime when inflation gas G in the upstream inflation portion 47 starts toflow out to the downstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 65is delayed.

Thus, the nineteenth embodiment achieves advantages of (1) to (4) asabove.

Further, in the nineteenth embodiment, as for the dividing portion 50satisfying a relationship of L1>L2, tension in the direction along theopening 65 (vertical direction: up and down direction) cannot beexpected as much as in the first embodiment in which the opening 65 isprovided along the lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction),since the opening 65 is provided along the vertical direction (up anddown direction).

However, the nineteenth embodiment is similar to the first embodiment inthat the overlap portions 61 including the valve body portions 71, 72are arranged on the upstream inflation portion 47 before the inflationof the upstream inflation portion 47. Accordingly, the internal pressurePI of the upstream inflation portion 47 can be applied from both sidesin the overlapping direction of the overlap portions 61. As a result,the valve body portions 71, 72 are caused to make tight contact witheach other, and the self-sealed state in which the flow of the inflationgas G between the two valve body portions 71, 72 is restricted isassumed, and the inflation gas G in the upstream inflation portion 47can be restricted from flowing out to the downstream inflation portion48.

Twentieth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twentieth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 41 and FIG. 42.

The twentieth embodiment differs from the nineteenth embodiment in aconfiguration of a pressure regulator valve 70.

Specifically, in each of overlap portions 61, an extended overlapportion 105 extends from a center portion in a vertical direction (upand down direction) toward an upstream side (left side in FIG. 41). Theextended overlap portions 105 are positioned at portions opposing anopening 65, and valve body portions 71, 72 are elongated to the upstreamside by the respective extended overlap portions 105. These extendedoverlap portions 105 are overlapped in an upstream inflation portion 47similar to the overlap portions 61.

Further, by a tear seam 73 being extended to distal ends of the extendedoverlap portions 105, the two extended overlap portions 105 areconnected by the tear seam 73. The tear seam 73 is elongated by therespective extended overlap portions 105.

Further, the extended overlap portions 105 are connected by a pair ofextended joining portions 106 provided at opposite ends (upper end andlower end) in the vertical direction (up and down direction). Each ofthe extended joining portions 106 extends from an end of a correspondingsecond joining portion 63 that faces an opening 65 to the upstream side.Each of the extended joining portions 106 is extended to the distal endof the extended overlap portion 105.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the nineteenthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the nineteenth embodimentare given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

According to the twentieth embodiment configured as above, the two valvebody portions 71, 72 are elongated by the extended overlap portions 105being provided. For the lengthened portions, it is more difficult forthe valve body portions 71, 72 to be pushed out to a downstreaminflation portion 48 through the opening 65 (more unlikely to beinverted). Further, it is more difficult for the occurrence of the valvebody portions 71, 72 being separated from each other after having beeninverted (pressure regulator valve 70 being opened) to take place.Therefore, an opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70 is delayedby the two extended overlap portions 105.

Further, by the tear seam 73 being elongated, strength by which the tearseam 73 connects the two valve body portions 71, 72 is increased.Therefore, a time when the tear seam 73 is broken is delayed by the tearseam 73 having been elongated. As a result, the time when the valve bodyportions 71, 72 are pushed out (inverted) to the downstream inflationportion 48 through the opening 65 and the valve body portions 71, 72separate from each other (opening time of the pressure regulator valve70) is further delayed.

Further, since the extended joining portions 106 are provided, theextended overlap portions 105 are more resistant to deformation.Therefore, it is more difficult for the valve body portions 71, 72 to bepushed out from the upstream inflation portion 47 to the downstreaminflation portion 48 through the opening 65. The time when the valvebody portions 71, 72 separate from each other in the downstreaminflation portion 48 (opening time of the pressure regulator valve 70)is delayed even further.

Thus, the twentieth embodiment achieves the advantages of (1) to (4) asabove, and has further advantages of further delaying the opening timeof the pressure regulator valve 70 in comparison to the nineteenthembodiment.

Twenty-First Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-first embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 43 and FIG. 44.

In the twenty-first embodiment, an outflow amount changing apparatusthat changes an amount of inflation gas flowing out from an upstreaminflation portion 47 upon an occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47 to an outflow amount different from an outflowamount in a case where the inflation gas passes through only an opening65 is provided instead of the time changing apparatus.

Specifically, in the twenty-first embodiment, a dividing portion 50 thatdivides an inflation portion 46 into the upstream inflation portion 47and a downstream inflation portion 48 includes an upper fabric portion56 and a lower fabric portion 57 as aforementioned, and further includesa fabric portion 107 below the lower fabric portion 57. The lower fabricportion 57 and the fabric portion 107 are connected to each other bysecond joining portions 63 similar to the upper fabric portion 56 andthe lower fabric portion 57. Further, an auxiliary opening 108 thatcommunicates the upstream inflation portion 47 and the downstreaminflation portion 48 is provided between the lower fabric portion 57 andthe fabric portion 107. The auxiliary opening 108 is formed bycancelling the connection by the second joining portions 63, similar tothe opening 65. Further, in the lower fabric portion 57 and the fabricportion 107, in a peripheral portion of the opening 65, similar to apressure regulator valve 70, an auxiliary pressure regulator valve 109including a pair of valve body portions 71, 72 is provided. Theauxiliary pressure regulator valve 109 operates similarly to thepressure regulator valve 70. That is, the auxiliary pressure regulatorvalve 109 closes before the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, and restricts the inflation gas in the upstream inflationportion 47 from flowing out to the downstream inflation portion 48through the auxiliary opening 108. Further, the auxiliary pressureregulator valve 109 cancels the restriction by opening in response to achange in a tensed state of the dividing portion 50 caused by anexternal force applied due to the restraint upon the occupant restraintby the upstream inflation portion 47. Moreover, the outflow amountchanging apparatus is configured by the auxiliary opening 108 and theauxiliary pressure regulator valve 109. A tear seam 73 is not providedin the pressure regulator valve 70 and the auxiliary pressure regulatorvalve 109.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

According to the twenty-first embodiment configured as above, both thepressure regulator valve 70 and the auxiliary pressure regulator valve109 are closed before the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, and the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47is restricted from flowing out of both the opening 65 and the auxiliaryopening 108. Therefore, an internal pressure of the upstream inflationportion 47 is increased, and the upstream inflation portion 47 isdeployed and inflated at a side of an occupant. The upstream inflationportion 47 is pressed against the occupant, whereby the occupant isrestrained, and an impact from a side transmitted to the occupant isrelaxed by the upstream inflation portion 47.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, thetensed state of the dividing portion 50 is changed by the external forceapplied due to the restraint, and the pressure regulator valve 70 andthe auxiliary pressure regulator valve 109 are opened. By the opening ofthe pressure regulator valve 70, the outflow restriction of theinflation gas by the pressure regulator valve 70 is cancelled. By theopening of the auxiliary pressure regulator valve 109, the outflowrestriction of the inflation gas by the auxiliary pressure regulatorvalve 109 is cancelled. By the restriction cancellation of bothelements, the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 isallowed to flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48 through theopening 65 and the auxiliary opening 108.

Due to the inflation gas flowing out through the auxiliary opening 108by the auxiliary pressure regulator valve 109 being opened, theinflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47 uponthe occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 isincreased.

The twenty-first embodiment achieve the following advantages.

(17) The outflow amount changing apparatus is provided, and the amountof the inflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 ischanged to the outflow amount different from the outflow amount in thecase where the inflation gas passes through only the opening 65.

Therefore, by the change in the outflow amount (manner of outflow) ofthe inflation gas from the upstream inflation portion 47, the speed bywhich the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47decreases during the occupant restraint can be changed more suitably forrestraining and protecting the occupant P, and a performance to restrainand protect the occupant P by an airbag 40 is improved.

(18) The outflow amount changing apparatus is configured by theauxiliary opening 108 provided at a different section from the opening65 by the dividing portion 50, and the auxiliary pressure regulatorvalve 109 provided at a different section from the pressure regulatorvalve 70 by the dividing portion 50.

Therefore, the outflow amount of the inflation gas from the upstreaminflation portion 47 to the downstream inflation portion 48 can beincreased by opening the auxiliary pressure regulator valve 109 inaddition to the pressure regulator valve 70 upon the occupant restraintby the upstream inflation portion 47. The internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 upon the occupant restraint can be reducedfaster than in those that do not have the auxiliary opening 108 and theauxiliary pressure regulator valve 109 provided.

Twenty-Second Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-second embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 45.

Side airbag apparatuses of the aforementioned first to twenty-firstembodiments are for restraining and protecting a region from the thoraxPT to the shoulder PS of the occupant, however, a side airbag apparatusof the twenty-second embodiment is for protecting a region from a lumbarregion PP to the shoulder PS of the occupant P. Complying with this, inthe twenty-second embodiment, an airbag 40 is made larger and in adifferent shape than that in the first to twenty-first embodiments.

Specifically, by connecting fabric portions 43, 44 by a peripheraljoining portion 45, an inflation portion 46 for being deployed andinflated at a side of the region from the lumbar region PP to theshoulder PS of the occupant P and protecting the occupant P in thisregion by restraining the occupant P from an impact is formed.

A part of the peripheral joining portion 45 (portion surrounded by aframe of a one-dot chain line in FIG. 45) is configured by a divisionjoining portion 111. The division joining portion 111 is protrudingbackward from front ends of the fabric portions 43, 44 at a portion thatis somewhat lower than a center portion of the fabric portions 43, 44 ina vertical direction (up and down direction). By this division joiningportion 111, the inflation portion 46 is divided into two chambers inthe vertical direction (up and down direction).

A part of the inflation portion 46, which is the chamber on the upperside of the division joining portion 111, is divided by a dividingportion 50 into an upstream inflation portion 47, to which inflation gasfrom an inflator 31 is supplied, and a downstream inflation portion 48adjacent to a front side of the upstream inflation portion 47 and towhich the inflation gas is supplied from the upstream inflation portion47 through an opening 65 and a pressure regulator valve 70. The upstreaminflation portion 47 is a portion for restraining and protecting theshoulder PS by deploying and inflating at the side of the shoulder PS ofthe occupant P seated in a vehicle seat 12. The downstream inflationportion 48 is a portion for restraining and protecting the thorax PT bydeploying and inflating at the side of the thorax PT of the occupant Pseated in the vehicle seat 12.

Further, the remainder of the inflation portion 46, which is the chamberon the lower side of the division joining portion 111, is not dividedand is configured as a lumbar region-protecting inflation portion 112.The lumbar region-protecting inflation portion 112 is a portion forrestraining and protecting the lumbar region PP by deploying andinflating at the side of the lumbar region PP of the occupant P seatedin the vehicle seat 12 and is communicated with the upstream inflationportion 47 in a state of being shut off from the downstream inflationportion 48.

In FIG. 45, in order to illustrate the inner fabric portion 43 as well,a large part of the outer fabric portion 44 is illustrated in a state ofbeing cut away.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the twenty-second embodiment configured as above, when the impact isapplied from the side of the vehicle seat 12, the inflation gas issupplied to the upstream inflation portion 47 that is a part of theinflation portion 46. Further, the inflation gas is also supplied to thelumbar region-protecting inflation portion 112 communicated with theupstream inflation portion 47. Therefore, the upstream inflation portion47 and the lumbar region-protecting inflation portion 112 start toinflate among the inflation portion 46.

The pressure regulator valve 70 closes before an occupant restraint bythe upstream inflation portion 47. The inflation gas in the upstreaminflation portion 47 is restricted from flowing to the downstreaminflation portion 48 through the opening 65, and an internal pressure ofthe upstream inflation portion 47 is increased. Further, an internalpressure of the lumbar region-protecting inflation portion 112communicated with the upstream inflation portion 47 also increases.

Therefore, compared to a case in which the lumbar region-protectinginflation portion 112 is not provided, a portion within the inflationportion 46 that can be restraining and protecting the occupant with highinternal pressure expands.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, thepressure regulator valve 70 cancels the above restriction by opening inresponse to the change in the tensed state of the dividing portion 50 byan external force applied due to the restraint. When the flow of theinflation gas from the upstream inflation portion 47 to the downstreaminflation portion 48 is allowed, the internal pressures of the upstreaminflation portion 47 and the lumbar region-protecting inflation portion112 are decreased, and an internal pressure of the downstream inflationportion 48 increases. The downstream inflation portion 48 is deployedand inflated, and the inflation portion 46 starts to restrain theoccupant not only by the upstream inflation portion 47 and the lumbarregion-protecting inflation portion 112 but also by the downstreaminflation portion 48 as well.

Thus, in the twenty-second embodiment in which the lumbarregion-protecting inflation portion 112 is provided in addition to theupstream inflation portion 47 and the downstream inflation portion 48,the advantages of (1) to (4) as above are achieved.

Instead of the first embodiment, configurations of the second totwenty-first embodiments may be implemented by being combined with theconfiguration of the twenty-second embodiment. In such cases, in a sideairbag apparatus in which the lumbar region-protecting inflation portion112 is provided in addition to the upstream inflation portion 47 and thedownstream inflation portion 48, advantages similar to the second totwenty-first embodiments are achieved.

Twenty-Third Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-third embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 46 and FIG. 47.

In the twenty-third embodiment, an inflation portion 46 is not dividedby a dividing portion 50, and is configured by one chamber. Theinflation portion 46 occupies a large portion of an airbag 40. Theairbag 40 being formed by connecting an inner fabric portion 43 and anouter fabric portion 44 to be in a bag shape is as described earlier.The inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44, as well asperipheral joining portions 45 connecting them in the bag shapeconfigure a wall portion of the inflation portion 46. At a front portionof the wall portion, an opening 113 that communicates inside and outsideof the inflation portion 46 is provided.

The connection of the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabricportion 44 by the peripheral joining portions 45 is cancelled at a frontend of the inflation portion 46. In other words, at the front portion ofthe inflation portion 46, the peripheral joining portion 45 forconnecting the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44is not provided. Accordingly, the portion where the peripheral joiningportion 45 is not provided is configured as the opening 113.

Further, in the twenty-third embodiment, a time changing apparatus thatchanges a time when inflation gas starts to flow out through the opening113 upon an occupant restraint by the inflation portion 46 to a timethat is different from an outflow starting time in a case where theinflation gas flows out from the opening 113 without being obstructed bythe wall portion is provided. The time changing apparatus configures apart of the wall portion, and is configured by a lid portion 114 thatcovers the opening 113. The lid portion 114 is formed of a sheetmaterial having elasticity. The lid portion 114 is formed somewhatlarger than the opening 113 in a not-stretched state. The lid portion114 is connected in an airtight state by means such as sewing, adhesionand the like to a peripheral portion of the opening 113.

In FIG. 46, in order to illustrate the inner fabric portion 43 as well,a large part of the outer fabric portion 44 is illustrated in a state ofbeing cut away.

The configurations other than the airbag 40 of a side airbag apparatus,that is, an inflator assembly 30 and the like are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the twenty-third embodiment configured as above, the inflation gas issupplied to the inflation portion 46 in response to an impact from aside of a vehicle seat 12. Although the opening 113 is provided at thewall portion of the inflation portion 46, the inflation gas in theinflation portion 46 flowing out therefrom is restricted due to the lidportion 114 covering the opening 113. Since the inflation gas stays inthe inflation portion 46, an internal pressure of the inflation portion46 increases. However, the internal pressure of the inflation portion 46before the occupant restraint by the inflation portion 46 is not as highas during the occupant restraint, whereby the lid portion 114 is notstretched, or is stretched only scarcely even if it did. Thus, theinflation gas does not flow out through the opening 113, or flows outonly scarcely even if it did.

By the increase in the internal pressure of the inflation portion 46,the inflation portion 46 is deployed and inflated at the side of anoccupant. The inflation portion 46 is pressed against the occupant,whereby the occupant is restrained, and an impact from a sidetransmitted to the occupant is reduced by the inflation portion 46.

Upon the occupant restraint by the inflation portion 46, the internalpressure of the inflation portion 46 further increases by an externalforce applied due to the restraint. By this internal pressure, as shownin FIG. 47, the lid portion 114 is stretched from a midpoint of theoccupant restraint to bulge to outer side of the inflation portion 46. Astate that is similar to when the opening 113 has been opened isassumed, and a part of the inflation gas in the inflation portion 46starts to flow out into the inflated lid portion 114 through the opening113.

Therefore, compared to those in which the opening 113 is not covered bythe lid portion 114, an outflow starting time of the inflation gasthrough the opening 113 is delayed.

The twenty-third embodiment achieves the following advantages.

(19) The time changing apparatus is provided so as to change the timewhen the inflation gas starts to flow out through the opening 113 uponthe occupant restraint by the inflation portion 46 is configured to bechanged to the time that is different from the outflow starting time inthe case where the inflation gas flows out from the opening 113 withoutbeing obstructed by the wall portion.

Therefore, the outflow starting time of the inflation gas from theinflation portion 46 (manner of outflow) can be changed more suitablefor restraining and protecting the occupant P, and a performance ofrestraining and protecting the occupant P by the airbag 40 is improved.

(20) The time changing apparatus is configured by the lid portion 114formed from the sheet material having elasticity and that closes theopening 113.

Therefore, during the occupant restraint by the inflation portion 46,the time when the inflation gas starts to flow out through the opening113 is delayed by the period during which the opening 113 is closed bythe lid portion 114 in the not-stretched state, and the internalpressure of the inflation portion 46 can be increased.

Thus, it is effective in a case where the performance to protect theoccupant is desired to be improved by delaying the outflow starting timeof the inflation gas from the inflation portion 46 and increasing theinternal pressure of the inflation portion 46.

Modifications of the Twenty-Third Embodiment

The twenty-third embodiment may be modified as follows.

The opening 113 may be provided in either of an inner fabric portion 43and an outer fabric portion 44.

A plurality of openings 113 may be provided at a plurality of positionson the wall portion of the inflation portion 46.

Twenty-Fourth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-fourth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 48.

In the twenty-fourth embodiment, an inflation portion 46 is divided by adividing portion 50 into an upstream inflation portion 47 and adownstream inflation portion 48 adjacent to a front side of the upstreaminflation portion 47. The dividing portion 50 configures a part of awall portion of the upstream inflation portion 47 and a part of a wallportion of the downstream inflation portion 48. An opening 115 isprovided at a part of the dividing portion 50. A pressure regulatorvalve 70 is not provided in a side airbag apparatus.

The part of the dividing portion 50 where the opening 115 is included isconfigured as a redundant portion 116 that is in a slack state outsidethe upstream inflation portion 47 (within the downstream inflationportion 48) before inflation of the upstream inflation portion 47. Inthe dividing portion 50, a retaining portion that retains the redundantportion 116 in the slack state while in a state of being isolated fromthe upstream inflation portion 47, and that cancels the retaining due tothe an occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.

The retaining portion is for example configured by a joining portion 117that connects the redundant portion 116 pinched into a spherical shapeat a boundary portion with remaining portions of the dividing portion50. The joining portion 117 connects the redundant portion 116 at alower strength than other joining portions, for example peripheraljoining portions 45, first joining portions 54, 55, and the like. Thejoining portion 117 is configured to be more prone to being broken thanthe other joining portions. The joining portion 117 is formed by sewingthe redundant portion 116 using sewing threads. Further, by theredundant portion 116 and the joining portion 117, a time changingapparatus that changes a time when inflation gas starts to flow outthrough the opening 115 upon the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47 to a time different from an outflow starting timein a case where the inflation gas flows out from the opening 115 withoutbeing obstructed by the wall portion is configured.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the twenty-fourth embodiment configured as above, when an impact isapplied from a side of a vehicle seat 12, the inflation gas is suppliedto the upstream inflation portion 47 in response to the impact. Aninternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 is low before theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, and the joiningportion 117 is not broken thereby. The redundant portion 116 configuredby the part of the dividing portion 50 including the opening 115 isretained in the slack state by the joining portion 117. At this time,the opening 115 provided in the redundant portion 116 comes to be in thestate of being isolated from the remainder of the dividing portion 50,and the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 is restrictedfrom flowing out to the downstream inflation portion 48 through theopening 115. Therefore, the internal pressure of the upstream inflationportion 47 is increased, and the upstream inflation portion 47 isdeployed and inflated at the side of the occupant. The upstreaminflation portion 47 is pressed against the occupant, whereby theoccupant is restrained, and the impact from a side transmitted to theoccupant is reduced by the upstream inflation portion 47.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, theinternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 increases by theexternal force applied due to the restraint in comparison to the timebefore the occupant restraint. The joining portion 117 is broken in amidpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.By this breaking, the retaining of the redundant portion 116 by thejoining portion 117 is cancelled. The slack state of the redundantportion 116 is resolved, whereby the redundant portion 116 is stretched,and the redundant portion 116 that is a part of the dividing portion 50and the remainder of the dividing portion 50 are linked to each other soas to configure one surface. As shown in FIG. 48 by a broken line inwhich a long dash alternates with a pair of short dashes, the opening115 comes to be in a state of being opened in the dividing portion 50,and the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 starts toflow out to the downstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 115.

Therefore, in the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion47, the time when the inflation gas starts to flow out through theopening 115 from the upstream inflation portion 47 is delayed by theperiod during which the redundant portion 116 is retained in the slackstate by the joining portion 117 (retaining portion). Accompanying this,the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 is increased.

Thus, the twenty-fourth embodiment achieves advantages as follows inaddition to the advantage of (19) as above.

(21) The redundant portion 116 is configured by the part of the dividingportion 50 including the opening 115. The joining portion 117 isprovided to retain the redundant portion 116 in the slack state in thestate of being isolated from the remainder of the dividing portion 50before the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 andthat cancels the retaining at the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47. Then, these redundant portion 116, and joiningportion 117 (retaining portion) are configured as the time changingapparatus.

Therefore, the time when the inflation gas starts to flow out throughthe opening 115 can be delayed more in comparison to the case where theinflation gas flows out from the opening 115 without being obstructed bythe wall portion. Thus, it is effective in a case where a performance toprotect the occupant is desired to be improved by delaying the time whenthe inflation gas starts to flow out from the upstream inflation portion47.

Modifications of the Twenty-Fourth Embodiment

The twenty-fourth embodiment may be modified as follows.

The inflation portion 46 does not necessarily need to be divided by thedividing portion 50, that is, may be configured by one chamber. In thiscase, the wall portion of the inflation portion 46 is configured by theinner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44.

However, a part of the wall portion (inner fabric portion 43 and outerfabric portion 44) is formed of a different member from the remainder ofthe wall portion. Further, the aforementioned part is connected to theremainder of the wall portion by the first joining portion provided inthe peripheral portion of the part. Further, the redundant portion 116and the joining portion 117 (retaining portion) are provided at thepart.

The above modification can be adapted to the twenty-fifth embodiment tobe described below.

Twenty-Fifth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-fifth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 49.

In the twenty-fifth embodiment, a retaining portion is configured by aclip 118 provided detachably attached to a dividing portion 50 insteadof the joining portion 117. The clip 118 includes a pair of grippingportions 120 including claw portions 119 at their respective distalends, and a connecting portion 121 that connects base ends of the twogripping portions 120.

The clip 118 connects by gripping a pinched redundant portion 116 at aboundary portion with the remainder of the dividing portion 50 by theclaw portions 119, and retains the redundant portion 116 in a slackstate. The clip 118 retains the redundant portion 116 at a lowerstrength than other joining portions, for example, peripheral joiningportions 45, first joining portions 54, 55, and the like. The clip 118is set to cancel the retaining in a midpoint of an occupant restraint byan upstream inflation portion 47 by the gripping portions 120 beingelastically deformed.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the twenty-fourthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the twenty-fourthembodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundantdescriptions are omitted.

In the twenty-fifth embodiment configured as above, an internal pressureof the upstream inflation portion 47 is low before the occupantrestraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, and the redundantportion 116 configured by the part of the dividing portion including anopening 115 is gripped by the gripping portions 120 of the clip 118, andis retained in the slack state. At this time, the opening 115 providedin the redundant portion 116 comes to be in an isolated state from theremainder of the dividing portion 50, and the inflation gas in theupstream inflation portion 47 entering the redundant portion 116 andflowing out to the downstream inflation portion 48 through the opening115 are restricted.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, theinternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 increases by theexternal force applied due to the restraint in comparison to the timebefore the occupant restraint. The two gripping portions 120 of the clip118 are caused to elastically deform in a direction separating away fromeach other in the midpoint of the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, and the clip 118 separated from the redundantportion 116. The retaining of the redundant portion 116 by the clip 118is cancelled. The slack state of the redundant portion 116 is resolvedand stretched, and the redundant portion 116 that is a part of thedividing portion 50 and the remainder of the dividing portion 50 arelinked to each other so as to configure one surface. The opening 115comes to be in an opened state in the dividing portion 50 tensed in aplanar shape, and the inflation gas starts to flow out to outside theupstream inflation portion 47 (downstream inflation portion 48) throughthe opening 115.

Therefore, similar to the twenty-fourth embodiment, in the occupantrestraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, the time when theinflation gas starts to flow out through the opening 115 from theupstream inflation portion 47 is delayed by the period during which theredundant portion 116 is retained in the slack state by the clip 118(retaining portion).

Thus, according to the twenty-fifth embodiment, although theconfiguration of the retaining portion is different, the advantagessimilar to the twenty-fourth embodiment, that is, (19) and (21) as aboveare achieved.

Twenty-Sixth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-sixth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 50 and FIGS. 51A and 51B.

In the twenty-sixth embodiment, a dividing portion 50 that divides aninflation portion 46 into an upstream inflation portion 47 and adownstream inflation portion 48 is formed by one sheet of woven fabric124 configured by weaving a warp 122 and a weft 123 in directions thatorthogonally intersect each other. In this woven fabric 124, a gapportion 125 surrounded by a pair of adjacent warps 122 and a pair ofadjacent wefts 123 configures an opening in the dividing portion 50. Apressure regulator valve 70 is not provided in a side airbag apparatus.

Further, in the twenty-sixth embodiment, an outflow amount changingapparatus that changes an amount of inflation gas that flows out fromthe upstream inflation portion 47 in accordance with a change in aninternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 upon when theupstream inflation portion 47 restrains an occupant is provided. In thetwenty-sixth embodiment, as the woven fabric 124, a woven fabric of atype that enlarges the gap portion 125 by causing a woven state of thewarp 122 and the weft 123 to change (displacing woven textures) uponwhen a pressure is applied is used. The outflow amount changingapparatus is configured by the woven fabric 124.

In FIG. 50, in order to illustrate the inner fabric portion 43 as well,a large part of the outer fabric portion 44 is illustrated in a state ofbeing cut away.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the firstembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the first embodiment aregiven the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the twenty-sixth embodiment configured as above, as shown in FIG.51A, an opening configured by the gap portion 125 of the woven fabric124 is in a closed state or in a contracted state before the occupantrestraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, whereby the inflationgas in the upstream inflation portion 47 is restricted from flowing outthrough the gap portion 125 (opening). Therefore, an internal pressureof the upstream inflation portion 47 is increased, and the upstreaminflation portion 47 is deployed and inflated at a side of an occupant.The upstream inflation portion 47 is pressed against the occupant,whereby the occupant is restrained, and the impact from a sidetransmitted to the occupant is reduced by the upstream inflation portion47.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, theinternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 further increasesby an external force applied due to the restraint. As shown in FIG. 51B,the woven state of the warp 122 and the weft 123 changes in the wovenfabric 124 from a midpoint of the occupant restraint. Each gap portion125 (opening) is enlarged, and larger amount of the inflation gas flowsout from the upstream inflation portion 47 to the downstream inflationportion 48 through these gap portions 125 (openings). By this increasedoutflow of the inflation gas, the internal pressure of the upstreaminflation portion 47 decreases quickly.

The twenty-sixth embodiment achieves the following advantages.

(22) The outflow amount changing apparatus is provided, and the amountof the inflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 ischanged in accordance with the change in the internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47.

Therefore, by the change in the outflow amount (manner of outflow) ofthe inflation gas from the upstream inflation portion 47, a speed bywhich the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47decreases during the occupant restraint can be changed more suitably forrestraining and protecting the occupant P, and a performance to restrainand protect the occupant P by an airbag 40 is improved.

(23) As the woven fabric forming the dividing portion 50, the wovenfabric 124 that enlarges the gap portions 125 by changing the wovenstate of the warp 122 and the weft 123 by the internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 that rises due to the occupant restraintby the upstream inflation portion 47 is used, and the outflow amountchanging apparatus is configured by this woven fabric 124.

Therefore, by causing the woven state of the warp 122 and the weft 123to change and enlarging the gap portions 125, the inflation gas flowingout from the upstream inflation portion 47 to the downstream inflationportion 48 can be increased. It is effective for cases in which anoccupant protection performance is desired to be increased by causing alarge amount of inflation gas to flow out from the upstream inflationportion 47 upon the occupant restraint, and causing the internalpressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 to be decreased quickly.

Modifications of the Twenty-Sixth Embodiment

The twenty-sixth embodiment may be modified as follows.

The woven fabric 124 in which the gap portions 125 are enlarged by thewoven state of the warp 122 and the weft 123 being changed (woventexture being displaced) by pressure may only be used as a part of thedividing portion 50.

The inflation portion 46 does not necessarily need to be divided by thedividing portion 50, that is, may be configured by one chamber. In thiscase, the wall portion of the inflation portion 46 is configured by theinner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44.

However, a part of the wall portion (inner fabric portion 43 and outerfabric portion 44) is formed of a different member from the remainder ofthe wall portion. Further, the aforementioned part is connected to theremainder of the wall portion by the first joining portion provided inthe peripheral portion of the part. Further, the woven fabric 124 inwhich the gap portions 125 are enlarged by the woven state of the warp122 and the weft 123 being changed (woven texture being displaced) isused at least as a part of the inner fabric portion 43 and the outerfabric portion 44.

Twenty-Seventh Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-seventh embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 52.

In the twenty-seventh embodiment, an inflation portion 46 is divided bya dividing portion 50 into an upstream inflation portion 47 and adownstream inflation portion 48. When an airbag 40 is in a non-inflatedand deployed state, the dividing portion 50 is overlapped in a lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction) by being folded in half along afolding line 51 extending in a vertical direction (up and downdirection). The dividing portion 50 in this state is arranged in theupstream inflation portion 47 in a state in which the folding line 51 ispositioned on an upstream side of an inner end 52 and an outer end 53.

The dividing portion 50 configures a part of a wall portion of theupstream inflation portion 47. The dividing portion 50 includes anopening 126 formed of holes such as a round hole and the like. Includingthis opening 126, at least a peripheral portion of the opening 126 isconfigured by a stretching portion 127 having elasticity. In thetwenty-seventh embodiment, an entirety of the dividing portion 50 isconfigured by the stretching portion 127. The stretching portion 127 isformed of a sheet having elasticity such as rubber, elastomer, and thelike. An outflow amount changing apparatus that changes an amount ofinflation gas that flows out from the upstream inflation portion 47 inaccordance with a change in an internal pressure of the upstreaminflation portion 47 upon when the upstream inflation portion 47restrains an occupant is configured by this stretching portion 127.

A vent hole 128 for discharging excessive inflation gas in thedownstream inflation portion 48 is formed at a part of a wall portion ofthe downstream inflation portion 48, for example on an outer fabricportion 44 of the airbag 40.

In FIG. 52, in order to illustrate the inner fabric portion 43 as well,a large part of the outer fabric portion 44 is illustrated in a state ofbeing cut away.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the twenty-sixthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the twenty-sixth embodimentare given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the twenty-seventh embodiment configured as above, the inflation gasis supplied to the upstream inflation portion 47 in response to animpact from a side of a vehicle seat 12. An internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 is low before the occupant restraint bythe upstream inflation portion 47, and the stretching portion 127(dividing portion 50) does not extend, or scarcely extends even if itdid. Therefore, an opening area of the opening 126 is small, and theinflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47 to thedownstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 126 is scarce.

An internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 is increased,and the upstream inflation portion 47 is deployed and inflated at a sideof an occupant. The upstream inflation portion 47 is pressed against theoccupant, whereby the occupant is restrained, and the impact from a sidetransmitted to the occupant is reduced by the upstream inflation portion47.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, theinternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 increases by anexternal force applied due to the restraint. From a midpoint of theoccupant restraint, the stretching portion 127 (dividing portion 50) isstretched, the opening 126 is enlarged, and the opening area thereofbecomes large. The inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47flows through the opening 126, and it is easy for the inflation gas toflow out to outside of the upstream inflation portion 47. Larger amountof inflation gas flows out from the upstream inflation portion 47 to thedownstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 126.

Further, a larger amount of inflation gas flows out from the upstreaminflation portion 47 to the downstream inflation portion 48 than wouldif the stretching portion 127 were not provided around the opening 126and if the opening 126 did not change its size (does not become large)before and after the occupant restraint.

By the inflow of the inflation gas, the downstream inflation portion 48is deployed and inflated at a later time than the upstream inflationportion 47 and restrains and protects the occupant. The excessiveinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 is discharged to theoutside of the inflation portion 46 through the vent hole 128.

Thus, the twenty-seventh embodiment achieves advantages as followsinstead of (23) as above, in addition to the advantage of (22) as above.

(24) The dividing portion 50 configuring a part of the wall portion ofthe upstream inflation portion 47 and including the opening 126 isconfigured by the stretching portion 127 formed from the sheet havingelasticity, and this stretching portion 127 is configured as the outflowamount changing apparatus.

Therefore, the larger amount of inflation gas can be flowed out from theupstream inflation portion 47 to the downstream inflation portion 48upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.

More inflation gas is caused to flow out during the occupant restraintthan before the occupant restraint, and it is effective in cases inwhich the reduction of the internal pressure of the upstream inflationportion 47 and the increase in the internal pressure of the downstreaminflation portion 48 are desired to be performed at an early stage.

Twenty-Eighth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-eighth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 53 and FIG. 55.

In the twenty-eighth embodiment, an outflow amount changing apparatusthat changes an amount of inflation gas that flows out from a portionwhen an occupant P is restrained by the portion that is inflated amongan inflation portion 46 to an outflow amount different from an outflowamount in a case where the inflation gas passes through only an openingis provided.

Specifically, an airbag 40 includes a rear-side inflation portion 131 inwhich an inflator assembly 30 is arranged, and a front-side inflationportion 132 arranged adjacent to a front side of the rear-side inflationportion 131. The inflation portion 46 is configured by these rear-sideinflation portion 131 and front-side inflation portion 132. Therear-side inflation portion 131 is formed by connecting peripheralportions of an inner fabric portion 133 and an outer fabric portion 134in a bag shape by a peripheral joining portion 45. The rear-sideinflation portion 131 configures an upstream inflation portion 47 asaforementioned.

The front-side inflation portion 132 is formed by connecting a bagportion 135 of which rear end is opened to the inner fabric portion 133and the outer fabric portion 134 by first joining portions 54, 55provided at a peripheral portion of the rear end. Further, within theupstream inflation portion 47, a portion covered by the bag portion 135is configured as a dividing portion 50. The front-side inflation portion132 is configured by the dividing portion 50 and the bag portion 135.The front-side inflation portion 132 configures a downstream inflationportion 48 as aforementioned.

A dimension L1 of the dividing portion 50 in a vertical direction is setlarger than a dimension L2 of the dividing portion 50 in a lateraldirection. The dividing portion 50 is provided with an opening 136formed of a slit extending in the lateral direction while the dividingportion 50 is in a tensed state. The opening 136 is provided at aportion (which is herein a center portion) with the largest externalforce applied due to an occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47 in the vertical direction, as a specific opening.

Further, at a portion different from the opening 136 of the dividingportion 50, auxiliary openings 137 formed of slits extending in thelateral direction while the dividing portion 50 is in the tensed stateare provided. In the twenty-eighth embodiment, a plurality of theauxiliary openings 137 is provided respectively in a region above theopening 136 in the dividing portion 50, and in a region below theopening 136 thereof. All of the auxiliary openings 137 are provided atportions that are offset from the portion (center portion) with thelargest external force applied due to the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47 in the vertical direction (up and downdirection). These opening 136 and auxiliary openings 137 are arranged atregular intervals in the vertical direction. Further, two among theplurality of auxiliary openings 137 are arranged at an upper end and alower end of the dividing portion 50. Further, the outflow amountchanging apparatus is configured by the auxiliary openings 137.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the twenty-sixthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the twenty-sixth embodimentare given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the twenty-eighth embodiment configured as above, inflation gas issupplied to the upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflationportion 131) in response to an impact from a side to a vehicle seat 12,and the upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131)starts to inflate. Before restraining an occupant during the inflationof the upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131),tension is applied to the dividing portion 50 in the vertical directionand in the lateral direction, whereby the dividing portion 50 acts tobecome tensed in a spherical shape bulging toward a downstream side(toward the downstream inflation portion 48 and the front-side inflationportion 132).

Since the dividing portion 50 has a sufficiently long dimension in thevertical direction compared to that in the lateral direction, in thedividing portion 50, stronger tension is more easily applied to theshort direction (lateral direction) of the dimension L2 than in the longdirection (vertical direction) of the dimension L1.

The opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 formed of the slitsextending in the lateral direction with the dividing portion 50 in thetensed state are more forcefully pulled in a closing direction (lateraldirection) than in an opening direction (vertical direction), andthereby close. The flow of the inflation gas from the upstream inflationportion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) to the downstream inflationportion 48 (front-side inflation portion 132) is restricted by theseopening 136 and auxiliary openings 137. The inflation gas in theupstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) does notflow out through the opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137, or onlyscarcely flows out even if it did. Therefore, an internal pressure ofthe upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131)increases, and the upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflationportion 131) is deployed and inflated at a side of the occupant.

As above, the occupant is restrained by the upstream inflation portion47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) of which internal pressure has beenincreased being pressed against the occupant. At such an occasion, theupstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) ispressed and deformed by the external force applied due to the occupantrestraint. Accompanying this, the tension that has been applied stronglyin the lateral direction on the dividing portion 50 is decreased. Adifference in the tension between in the vertical direction and in thelateral direction becomes smaller, and it is easier for the opening 136and the auxiliary openings 137 to open.

Since the opening 136 that has been specified as the specific opening isprovided at the portion (center portion) with the largest external forceapplied due to the occupant restraint in the vertical direction by theupstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131), thelargest external force among the external force transmitted to thedividing portion 50 is transmitted to the opening 136 (specificopening). The tension that has been applied to the opening 136 (specificopening) in the lateral direction decreases by a large degree. Thedifference in the tension applied to the opening 136 (specific opening)between in the vertical direction and in the lateral direction furtherbecomes smaller. It is even easier for the opening 136 (specificopening) to open, and a large amount of inflation gas flows outtherefrom.

Further, since all of the auxiliary openings 137 are provided at theportions that are offset from the portion (center portion) with thelargest external force applied due to the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47 in the vertical direction, the differencein the tension in the vertical direction and in the lateral directiondoes not become so small at the aforementioned portions (portions offsetfrom the center portion). It is difficult for the auxiliary openings 137to open, and the amount of inflation gas flowing out therefrom is not asgreat as with the opening 136.

Especially, among the auxiliary openings 137, ones positioned at theupper end and the lower end of the dividing portion 50 are more likelyto approach and adhere to a wall portion (bag portion 135) of thedownstream inflation portion 48 (front-side inflation portion 132)before being deployed and inflated than the other ones. Therefore, therespective auxiliary openings 137 at the upper end and the lower endcome to be in a state of being closed by the bag portion 135, and it isdifficult for the inflation gas to flow out.

By the opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 respectively openingfrom a midpoint of the occupant restraint, the outflow of the inflationgas through the opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 is possible.Compared to a case in which the auxiliary openings 137 are not providedand the inflation gas passes through only the opening 136, larger amountof inflation gas flows out from the upstream inflation portion 47(rear-side inflation portion 131) to the downstream inflation portion 48(front-side inflation portion 132) through the opening 136 and theauxiliary openings 137.

By this outflow, compared to the case in which the auxiliary openings137 are not provided and the inflation gas passes through only theopening 136, the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47(rear-side inflation portion 131) decreases quickly, and an internalpressure of the downstream inflation portion 48 (front-side inflationportion 132) increases quickly. The downstream inflation portion 48(front-side inflation portion 132) is deployed and inflated, and theinflation portion 46 restrains the occupant by the downstream inflationportion 48 (front-side inflation portion 132) as well in addition to theupstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131).

The twenty-eighth embodiment achieves the following advantages.

(25) The outflow amount changing apparatus is provided, and the amountof the inflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47(rear-side inflation portion 131) upon the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) ischanged to an outflow amount that is different from an outflow amount inthe case of the inflation gas flowing only through the opening 136.

Therefore, by the change in the outflow amount (manner of outflow) ofthe inflation gas from the upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-sideinflation portion 131), a speed by which the internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131)decreases upon the occupant restraint is changed suitably forrestraining and protecting the occupant P, and a performance to restrainand protect the occupant P by the airbag 40 is improved.

(26) The opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 formed of the slitsextending in the lateral direction with the dividing portion 50 in thetensed state are provided on the dividing portion 50, and the outflowamount changing apparatus is configured by the auxiliary openings 137(FIG. 54).

Therefore, upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion47 (rear-side inflation portion 131), a larger amount of the inflationgas can flow out from the upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-sideinflation portion 131) to the downstream inflation portion 48(front-side inflation portion 132) than in the case where only theopening 136 is provided. It is effective for a case in which largeramount of the inflation gas is caused to flow out upon the occupantrestraint to desirably decrease the internal pressure of the upstreaminflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) and increase theinternal pressure of the downstream inflation portion 48 (front-sideinflation portion 132) at an early stage.

(27) The opening 136 is specified as the specific opening, and isprovided at the portion (center portion) with the largest external forceapplied due to the occupant restraint in the vertical direction by theupstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) (FIG. 54and FIG. 55).

Therefore, the opening 136 (specific opening) is caused to open moreeasily, and even a larger amount of inflation gas can be caused to flowout. Compared to a case in which the opening 136 (specific opening) isnot provided at the portion satisfying the above condition in thevertical direction, the internal pressure of the upstream inflationportion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) can quickly be decreased.

Thus, it is effective for a case in which the internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) ishigher than a suitable value before the occupant restraint, and theinflation gas is desired to be flowed out at an early stage. As acircumstance in which the internal pressure of the upstream inflationportion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) is higher than the suitablevalue before the occupant restraint, for example a case in which a largetype with much ejection amount of the inflation gas is used as theinflator 31 may be exemplified.

Modifications of the Twenty-Eighth Embodiment

The twenty-eighth embodiment may be modified as follows.

Dividing portions 50 may be provided at a plurality of positions in theinflation portion 46, and the inflation portion 46 may be divided intothree or more chambers. In this case, the opening 136 is provided toeach dividing portion 50, however, the auxiliary openings 137 may beprovided in at least one of the dividing portions 50.

At least one of the opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 may beprovided at a plurality of positions in the lateral direction.

Twenty-Ninth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the twenty-ninth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 56.

The twenty-ninth embodiment differs from the twenty-eighth embodiment inan arrangement manner of an opening 136 and auxiliary openings 137 in adividing portion 50.

Specifically, for both the opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137,they are provided at portions offset from a portion with the largestexternal force applied due to the occupant restraint in a verticaldirection by an upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-side inflationportion 131). In the twenty-ninth embodiment, a center portion in thevertical direction is assumed as the portion where the largest externalforce is applied, and the opening 136 is provided at the portion that isoffset upward from the center portion. Further, the auxiliary openings137 are provided at two portions that are offset upward from the opening136 and downward from the center portion. Further, two among theplurality of auxiliary openings 137 are arranged at an upper end and alower end of the dividing portion 50. Further, the outflow amountchanging apparatus is configured by the auxiliary openings 137.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the twenty-eighthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the twenty-eighthembodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundantdescriptions are omitted.

In the twenty-ninth embodiment configured as above, since all of theopening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 are provided at the portionsoffset from the portion where the largest external force is applied dueto the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47 in thevertical direction, it is difficult for the largest external force amongthe external force transmitted to the dividing portion 50 to betransmitted to the opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137. Thetension that has been applied to the opening 136 and the auxiliaryopenings 137 in a lateral direction decreases at a small degree. Adifference in the tension applied to the opening 136 and the auxiliaryopenings 137 in the vertical direction and in the lateral direction doesnot become so small. It does not become so easy for the opening 136 andthe auxiliary openings 137 to open, and inflation gas flowing outtherefrom does not become large. Compared to a case in which all of theopening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 are not provided at theportions satisfying the above condition in the vertical direction, theinternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 (rear-sideinflation portion 131) decreases slowly.

Thus, the twenty-ninth embodiment achieves advantages as follows insteadof (27) as above, in addition to the advantages of (25) and (26) asabove.

(28) The opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 are provided at theportions offset from the portion where the largest external force isapplied due to the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion47 in the vertical direction.

Therefore, the difference in the tension between in the verticaldirection and in the lateral direction is caused not to be so small, itis made difficult for the opening 136 and the auxiliary openings 137 toopen, and the inflation gas flowing out therefrom can be made so as notto be so large.

Thus, it is effective for a case in which the internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 before the occupant restraint is lowerthan a suitable value, and the inflation gas is desired to flow outslowly. As a circumstance in which the internal pressure of the upstreaminflation portion 47 (rear-side inflation portion 131) before theoccupant restraint is lower than the suitable value, for example, a casein which a small type inflator 31 with small ejection amount of theinflation gas is used may be exemplified.

Modifications of the Twenty-Ninth Embodiment

The twenty-ninth embodiment may be modified as follows.

A plurality of at least one of the opening 136 and the auxiliaryopenings 137 may be provided in the lateral direction.

Thirtieth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the thirtieth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 57 and FIG. 58.

In the thirtieth embodiment, an inflation portion 46 is divided by adividing portion 50 into an upstream inflation portion 47 and adownstream inflation portion 48. When an airbag 40 is in a non-inflatedand deployed state, the dividing portion 50 is overlapped in a lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction) by being folded in half along afolding line 51 extending in a vertical direction (up and downdirection).

In the dividing portion 50, an opening 142 formed of a slit extending ina lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) in a tensed state ofthe dividing portion 50. The opening 142 is provided in a state ofcrossing over the folding line 51 at a center portion in a lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction).

Further, the downstream inflation portion 48 is divided into twoinflation portions by an auxiliary dividing portion 143. In order todistinguish these inflation portions a portion adjacent to the upstreaminflation portion 47 will be termed a primary downstream inflationportion 144, and a portion not adjacent thereto will be termed asecondary downstream inflation portion 145. When the airbag 40 is in anon-inflated and deployed state, the auxiliary dividing portion 143 isoverlapped in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) bybeing folded in half along a folding line 146 extending in the verticaldirection (up and down direction).

In the auxiliary dividing portion 143, an auxiliary opening 147configured by a slit extending in the lateral direction (vehiclewidthwise direction) in a tensed state of the auxiliary dividing portion143 is provided. The auxiliary opening 147 is provided in a state ofcrossing over the folding line 146 at a center portion in the lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction). Further, the auxiliary opening147 is provided at a portion that is offset from a portion that isdownstream in a flowing direction of inflation gas flowing through theopening 142 in regards to the vertical direction (up and downdirection), that is, at a higher portion than the opening 142 in thiscase.

Further, the outflow amount changing apparatus is configured by theauxiliary dividing portion 143 and the auxiliary opening 147.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the twenty-eighthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the twenty-eighthembodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundantdescriptions are omitted.

In the thirtieth embodiment configured as above, when the inflation gasis supplied to the upstream inflation portion 47 in response to theimpact from the side to a vehicle seat 12, an internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 increases, and the upstream inflationportion 47 is deployed and inflated at a side of the occupant. Theupstream inflation portion 47 is pressed against the occupant, wherebythe occupant is restrained, and an impact from a side applied to theoccupant is reduced by the upstream inflation portion 47.

At this time, the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47flowing out to the primary downstream inflation portion 144 isrestricted by the dividing portion 50 and the opening 142. Further, theinflation gas flowing out from the primary downstream inflation portion144 to the secondary downstream inflation portion 145 is restricted bythe auxiliary dividing portion 143 and the auxiliary opening 147. Thus,both the inflation gas that flows out from the upstream inflationportion 47 to the primary downstream inflation portion 144 and theinflation gas that flows out from the primary downstream inflationportion 144 to the secondary downstream inflation portion 145 arescarce. As a result, the inflation gas that flows out from the upstreaminflation portion 47 to the secondary downstream inflation portion 145is scarce.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, sincethe internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 increases bythe external force applied due to the restraint, it is easy for theinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 to flow out to theprimary downstream inflation portion 144 through the opening 142.Further, it is easy for the inflation gas in the primary downstreaminflation portion 144 to flow out to the secondary downstream inflationportion 145 through the auxiliary opening 147.

Thus, upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47,the inflation gas that flows out from the upstream inflation portion 47to the secondary downstream inflation portion 145 is decreased due tothe addition of the restriction on the flow of the inflation gas by theauxiliary dividing portion 143 and the auxiliary opening 147. Comparedto a case in which the auxiliary dividing portion 143 and the auxiliaryopening 147 are not provided and the inflation gas passes through onlythe opening 142, the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion47 decreases slowly.

Further, at a section that is to be on the downstream side in theflowing direction of inflation gas flowing through the opening 142 ofthe dividing portion 50, a section in the auxiliary dividing portion 143where the auxiliary opening 147 is not provided is positioned thereat.Therefore, the auxiliary dividing portion 143 becomes a resistance forthe inflation gas that has flowed out from the upstream inflationportion 47 to the primary downstream inflation portion 144 through theopening 142 of the dividing portion 50. The inflation gas that hasflowed out through the opening 142 changes its flowing direction bycolliding with the auxiliary dividing portion 143. After having flowedalong the auxiliary dividing portion 143, the inflation gas flows out tothe secondary downstream inflation portion 145 through the auxiliaryopening 147. Thus, compared to a case in which the auxiliary opening 147is provided at the section that is to be the downstream side in theflowing direction of inflation gas flowing through the opening 142 inthe auxiliary dividing portion 143, it is difficult for the inflationgas to flow out through the auxiliary opening 147. As a result, theinflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47 to thesecondary downstream inflation portion 145 is further decreased.Further, the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47decreases even more slowly.

Thus, the thirtieth embodiment achieves advantages as follows inaddition to the advantage of (25) as above.

(29) The auxiliary dividing portion 143, which divides the inside of thedownstream inflation portion 48 into the primary downstream inflationportion 144 and the secondary downstream inflation portion 145, and theauxiliary opening 147 provided in the auxiliary dividing portion 143configure the outflow amount changing apparatus.

Therefore, with the addition of the flow restriction on the inflationgas by the auxiliary dividing portion 143 and the auxiliary opening 147,the inflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47 tothe secondary downstream inflation portion 145 can be made less.

(30) The auxiliary opening 147 is provided at the portion that is offsetfrom the portion that is on the front side in the flowing direction ofinflation gas flowing in the opening 142 of the dividing portion 50 inthe auxiliary dividing portion 143.

Therefore, the inflation gas is caused more unlikely to flow out throughthe auxiliary opening 147, and the inflation gas flowing out from theupstream inflation portion 47 to the secondary downstream inflationportion 145 can be made even less.

Modifications of the Thirtieth Embodiment

The thirtieth embodiment may be modified as follows.

The auxiliary opening 147 may be provided at a section that is on thedownstream side in the flowing direction of inflation gas flowingthrough the opening 142 of the dividing portion 50 in the auxiliarydividing portion 143. Even in this case, the flow restriction on theinflation gas by the auxiliary dividing portion 143 and the auxiliaryopening 147 is applied to some extent. Therefore, the effect ofdecreasing the inflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflationportion 47 to the secondary downstream inflation portion 145 isachieved.

A plurality of the auxiliary dividing portions 143 having the auxiliaryopening 147 (combinations of the auxiliary opening 147 and the auxiliarydividing portion 143) may be provided in the downstream inflationportion 48. In this case, if the auxiliary opening 147 of the auxiliarydividing portion 143 positioned on a downstream side is provided at aportion offset from a portion that is on the downstream side in theflowing direction of inflation gas flowing in the auxiliary opening 147of the auxiliary dividing portion 143 on an upstream side, the inflationgas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47 can further bedecreased.

Thirty-First Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the thirty-first embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 59 and FIGS. 60A and 60B.

In the thirty-first embodiment, an inflation portion 46 is divided by adividing portion 50 into an upstream inflation portion 47 and adownstream inflation portion 48. The dividing portion 50 is configuredby a pair of fabric portions (inner fabric portion 101, and outer fabricportion 102) arranged in a lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection). The dividing portion 50 configures a part of a wall portionof the upstream inflation portion 47.

In both fabric portions 101, 102, ends 103, 104 are overlapped in anarrow band shape in a vertical direction (up and down direction) in astate in which end edges 103E, 104E of these ends 103, 104 being made tomatch. The two fabric portions 101, 102 are connected by a secondjoining portion 63 provided at a boundary portion of a band-shapedoverlap portion 61 and other portions (non-overlap portion). The secondjoining portion 63 is configured by a plurality of joining portions 148provided at sections separated from one another in the verticaldirection (up and down direction), and the two ends 103, 104 areintermittently connected by these joining portions 148. As shown in FIG.60A, the second joining portion 63 is formed by sewing opposite ends103, 104 by sewing threads, that is, by interlacing a needle thread 149and a bobbin thread 150.

By this second joining portion 63, passages 151 through which inflationgas flows is provided between adjacent joining portions 148 in thesecond joining portion 63 between the two ends 103, 104. Morespecifically, the joining portions 148 are configured by interlacingportions where the needle thread 149 and the bobbin thread 150 areinterlaced. Further, the passages 151 are configured between theadjacent joining portions 148 (portion K shown by hatching in FIGS. 60Aand 60B). The upstream inflation portion 47 and the downstream inflationportion 48 are communicated through the plurality of passages 151.

A cross-sectional shape of each portion K changes according to a filledstate of the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47. Thecross-sectional shape of each portion K is thus flat as shown in FIG.60A when the inflation gas is not filled in the upstream inflationportion 47, and each passage 151 comes to be in a closed state. In FIG.60A, the relationship of the ends 103, 104, the needle thread 149, thebobbin thread 150, and the like is depicted schematically. In fact, theends 103, 104 are in a state of making tight contact with each other orin a state similar thereto. Contrary to this, when the inflation gas isfilled in the upstream inflation portion 47, the cross-sectional shapeof the portions K is thus substantially round as shown in FIG. 60B, andeach passage 151 comes to be in an opened state.

A passage area of the passages 151 depends on an interval betweenjoining portions 148 (interlaced portions) (stitch length: pitch P1).The passage area becomes smaller as the pitch P1 becomes shorter, and anability to discharge inflation gas is lost when the pitch P1 becomesexcessively short. To the contrary, the passage area becomes larger asthe pitch P1 becomes longer, and the ability to discharge the inflationgas becomes higher, whereas the strength to connect opposite ends 103,104 (connecting strength) decreases. Therefore, in setting the pitch P1,it is desired to be set to a value by which the discharging ability ofthe inflation gas G and the connecting strength can both be satisfied.

Further, the passage area of the passages 151 is influenced also by atensile strength of at least one of the needle thread 149 and the bobbinthread 150. In a case with stitches with high tensile strength, thepassage area of the passages 151 tends to be small.

One of the plurality of passages configures an opening 152, and theremainder configures auxiliary openings 153. Further, the outflow amountchanging apparatus is configured by these auxiliary openings 153.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the twenty-eighthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the twenty-eighthembodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundantdescriptions are omitted.

In the thirty-first embodiment configured as above, when the inflationgas is supplied to the upstream inflation portion 47 in response to animpact from a side to a vehicle seat 12, an internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 rises and the upstream inflation portion47 is deployed and inflated at a side of an occupant. Accompanying this,the dividing portion 50 comes to be in a tensed state. At this time, theinflation gas spreads open opposite ends 103, 104 at the passages 151(opening 152 and auxiliary openings 153). The opening 152 and therespective auxiliary openings 153 are opened. In addition to the opening152, the auxiliary openings 153 configured between the adjacent joiningportions 148 function as passages for the inflation gas in the upstreaminflation portion 47 to flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48.Therefore, a part of the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion47 is capable of flowing out to the downstream inflation portion 48through the opening 152 and the auxiliary openings 153 despite beingbefore an occupant restraint. However, before the occupant restraint,since the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 is notas high as during the occupant restraint, the inflation gas that flowsout from the upstream inflation portion 47 through the opening 152 andthe auxiliary openings 153 is scarce.

Then, the upstream inflation portion 47 of which internal pressure hasbeen increased is pressed against the occupant, whereby the occupant isrestrained, and the impact from a side transmitted to the occupant isreduced by the upstream inflation portion 47.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, sincethe internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 increases bythe external force applied due to the restraint, it is easy for theinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 to flow out to thedownstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 152 and theauxiliary opening 153. For the addition of the outflow of the inflationgas by the auxiliary openings 153, the inflation gas flowing out fromthe upstream inflation portion 47 increases.

By the outflow of the inflation gas from the upstream inflation portion47 to the downstream inflation portion 48, the internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 decreases, and an internal pressure of thedownstream inflation portion 48 increases. At this time, compared to acase in which the auxiliary openings 153 are not provided, the internalpressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 decreases quickly. Thedownstream inflation portion 48 is deployed and inflated, and theinflation portion starts to restrain the occupant not only at theupstream inflation portion 47 but also at the downstream inflationportion 48.

Thus, the thirty-first embodiment achieves advantages as follows inaddition to the advantage of (25) as above.

(31) The dividing portion 50 that divides the inflation portion 46 intothe upstream inflation portion 47 and the downstream inflation portion48 is configured by the pair of fabric portions (inner fabric portion101 and outer fabric portion 102). The inner fabric portion 101 and theouter fabric portion 102 are intermittently connected by the pluralityof joining portions 148 provided at the portions apart from each otherin the vertical direction (up and down direction). Each interval betweenthe pair of overlap portions 61 and between the adjacent joiningportions 148 is configured as the passage for the inflation gas. One ofsuch passages is configured as the opening 152, and the remainderthereof are configured as the auxiliary openings 153. Further, theseauxiliary openings 153 configure the outflow amount changing apparatus.

Therefore, with the addition of the outflow of the inflation gas throughthe auxiliary openings 153 upon the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, the inflation gas flowing out from the upstreaminflation portion 47 can be increased.

Modifications of the Thirty-First Embodiment

The thirty-first embodiment may be modified as follows.

The second joining portion 63 may be formed by intermittently adheringthe two fabric portions 101, 102 instead of sewing. In this case,adhering portions by the adhesive in the pairs of overlap portions 61are the joining portion 148.

The inflation portion 46 does not necessarily need to be divided by thedividing portion 50, that is, may be configured by one chamber. In thiscase, a part of a wall portion of the inflation portion 46 is configuredby the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44, as wellas the inner fabric portion 101 and the outer fabric portion 102.Further, the inner fabric portion 101 and the outer fabric portion 102are connected to the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabricportion 44 by first joining portions provided at a peripheral portionthereof.

A plurality of dividing portions 50 may be provided in the inflationportion 46, and each dividing portion 50 may be provided with theopening 152 and the auxiliary openings 153.

The dividing portion 50 configuring a part of the wall portion of theupstream inflation portion 47 may be configured by three or more fabricportions arranged in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection). In this case, the adjacent fabric portions in the dividingportion are intermittently connected by a plurality of joining portionsprovided at portions separated from one another.

Thirty-Second Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the thirty-second embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 61 to FIG. 63.

In the thirty-second embodiment, an inflation portion 46 is divided by adividing portion 50 into an upstream inflation portion 47 and adownstream inflation portion 48. When an airbag 40 is in a non-inflatedand deployed state, the dividing portion 50 is overlapped in a lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction) by being folded in half along afolding line 51 extending in a vertical direction (up and downdirection). The dividing portion 50 in this state is arranged in theupstream inflation portion 47 in a state in which the folding line 51 ispositioned on an upstream side of an inner end 52 and an outer end 53.The inner end 52 of the dividing portion 50 is connected to an innerfabric portion 43 of the airbag 40 by the first joining portion 54extending in a substantially up and down direction. Further, the outerend 53 of the dividing portion 50 is connected to an outer fabricportion 44 of the airbag 40 by the first joining portion 55 extending inthe substantially up and down direction.

The dividing portion 50 is bridged between the inner fabric portion 43and the outer fabric portion 44 by the above connections. The dividingportion 50 comes to be in the state of being folded in half when theairbag 40 comes to be in a non-inflated and deployed state (see FIG.61). Further, the dividing portion 50 comes to be in a state of beingtensed in a lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) when theinflation portion 46 is deployed and inflated (see FIG. 62), andrestricts inflation thickness of the inflation portion 46 in theaforementioned direction.

A part (rear half) of the inner fabric portion 43, a part (rear half) ofthe outer fabric portion 44, and the dividing portion 50 configure awall portion of the upstream inflation portion 47.

Accordingly, a part of the wall portion of the upstream inflationportion 47 (dividing portion 50) is formed by a different member fromthe remainder (inner fabric portion 43 and outer fabric portion 44). Thepart of the wall portion (dividing portion 50) is connected to theremainder (inner fabric portion 43 and outer fabric portion 44) by thefirst joining portions 54, 55 provided in the peripheral portionthereof.

As shown in FIG. 61 and FIG. 63, the first joining portion 54 isreleased of its connection at a part thereof. In other words, at a partof the dividing portion 50 in a vertical direction (up and downdirection), the first joining portion 54 that connects the dividingportion 50 to the inner fabric portion 43 is not provided. Accordingly,the part where the first joining portion 54 is not provided, which is aportion where the connection is cancelled, configures a slit-shapedopening 154 extending in the vertical direction (up and down direction).

Further, the first joining portion 55 is released of its connection at apart thereof. In other words, at a part of the dividing portion 50 inthe vertical direction (up and down direction), the first joiningportion 55 that connects the dividing portion 50 to the outer fabricportion 44 is not provided. Accordingly, the part where the firstjoining portion 55 is not provided, which is a portion where theconnection is cancelled, configures a slit-shaped auxiliary opening 155extending in the vertical direction (up and down direction). The outflowamount changing apparatus is configured by the auxiliary opening 155.

The opening 154 and the auxiliary opening 155 are desirably provided atportions where an external force is not applied due to a restraint uponthe occupant restraint, or at portions that are not likely to receive anexternal force. This is to avoid difficulty in opening the opening 154and the auxiliary opening 155 due to the external force.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the twenty-eighthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the twenty-eighthembodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundantdescriptions are omitted.

In the thirty-second embodiment configured as above, the opening 154 andthe auxiliary opening 155 both function as passages for inflation gas inthe upstream inflation portion 47 to flow out to the downstreaminflation portion 48.

When the inflation gas is supplied to the upstream inflation portion 47in response to an impact from a side to a vehicle seat 12, an internalpressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 rises and the upstreaminflation portion 47 is deployed and inflated at a side of an occupant.Accordingly, the dividing portion 50 comes to be in a tensed state thatcurves to bulge toward the downstream inflation portion 48. The opening154 and the auxiliary opening 155 function as the passages for inflationgas in the upstream inflation portion 47 to flow out to the downstreaminflation portion 48. Therefore, a part of the inflation gas in theupstream inflation portion 47 is capable of flowing out through theopening 154 and the auxiliary opening 155 despite being before theoccupant restraint. However, before the occupant restraint, since theinternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 is not so high asduring the occupant restraint, the inflation gas that flows out from theupstream inflation portion 47 through the opening 154 and the auxiliaryopening 155 is scarce.

Then, the upstream inflation portion 47 of which internal pressure hasbeen increased is pressed against the occupant, whereby the occupant isrestrained, and the impact from a side transmitted to the occupant isreduced by the upstream inflation portion 47.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, sincethe internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 increases bythe external force applied due to the restraint, it is easy for theinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 to flow out to thedownstream inflation portion 48 through the opening 154 and theauxiliary opening 155. Upon the occupant restraint, for the addition ofthe outflow of the inflation gas by the auxiliary opening 155, theinflation gas flowing out from the upstream inflation portion 47increases. Compared to a case in which the auxiliary opening 155 is notprovided, the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47decreases quickly.

Thus, the thirty-second embodiment achieves advantages as follows inaddition to the advantage of (25) as above.

(32) In those in which the dividing portion 50 is connected to the outerfabric portion 44 of the airbag 40 by the first joining portion 55, theauxiliary opening 155 is provided by cancelling the connection of thedividing portion 50 to the outer fabric portion 44 at a part of thefirst joining portion 55, and the auxiliary opening 155 is configured asthe outflow amount changing apparatus.

Therefore, the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 can becaused to flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48 through theauxiliary opening 155 from before the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47.

Further, with the addition of the outflow of the inflation gas throughthe auxiliary opening 155 upon the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion 47, the inflation gas flowing out from the upstreaminflation portion 47 can be increased.

Modifications of the Thirty-Second Embodiment

The thirty-second embodiment may be modified as follows.

The inflation portion 46 does not necessarily need to be divided by thedividing portion 50, that is, may be configured by one chamber. In thiscase, the wall portion of the inflation portion 46 is configured by theinner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44.

However, a part of the wall portion (inner fabric portion 43 and outerfabric portion 44) is formed of a different member from the remainder ofthe wall portion. The aforementioned part is connected to the remainderof the wall portion by the first joining portion provided in theperipheral portion of the part. Further, the first joining portion isreleased of its connection at a part thereof.

Thirty-Third Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the thirty-third embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 64.

The thirty-third embodiment differs from the thirty-second embodiment inregards to a configuration of an inflation portion 46. An inner fabricportion 43 is configured by a rear-side inner fabric portion 43R, and afront-side inner fabric portion 43F positioned on a front side thereof.A rear end of the front-side inner fabric portion 43F is overlapped froman inner side (lower side in FIG. 64) to a front end of the rear-sideinner fabric portion 43R, and is connected to the rear-side inner fabricportion 43R by a joining portion 156.

Further, an outer fabric portion 44 is configured by a rear-side outerfabric portion 44R, and a front-side outer fabric portion 44F positionedon the front side thereof. A rear end of the front-side outer fabricportion 44F is overlapped from the inner side (upper side in FIG. 64) toa front end of the rear-side outer fabric portion 44R, and is connectedto the rear-side outer fabric portion 44R by a joining portion 157.

A dividing portion 50 that divides the inflation portion 46 into anupstream inflation portion 47 and a downstream inflation portion 48 isarranged between the front-side inner fabric portion 43F and thefront-side outer fabric portion 44F. An inner end 52 of the dividingportion 50 is connected to the rear end of the front-side inner fabricportion 43F by a first joining portion 54 at a location further backfrom the joining portion 156. An outer end 53 of the dividing portion 50is connected to the rear end of the front-side outer fabric portion 44Fby a first joining portion 55 at a location further back from thejoining portion 157.

Although not shown, an opening 154 being formed by a part of the firstjoining portion 54 being released of its connection, and an auxiliaryopening 155 being formed by a part of the first joining portion 55 beingreleased of its connection are similar to the aforementionedthirty-second embodiment. An outflow amount changing apparatus beingconfigured by the auxiliary opening 155 is also similar to theaforementioned thirty-second embodiment. See FIG. 63.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the thirty-secondembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the thirty-secondembodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundantdescriptions are omitted.

The thirty-third embodiment achieves advantages similar to those of thethirty-second embodiment. Other than that, the following advantages areexpected.

As a method to connect the rear-side inner fabric portion 43R and thefront-side inner fabric portion 43F, and to connect the inner end 52 ofthe dividing portion 50 to the front-side inner fabric portion 43F, itmay be assumed to connect the rear-side inner fabric portion 43R, thefront-side inner fabric portion 43F, and the inner end 52 of thedividing portion 50 by a common joining portion, for example, by thefirst joining portion 54.

However, a part of the first joining portion 54 is released of itsconnection. Therefore, not being limited to the portion (opening 154)where the connection is cancelled is formed between the front-side innerfabric portion 43F and the inner end 52 of the dividing portion 50, aportion where the connection is cancelled is formed between thefront-side inner fabric portion 43F and the rear-side inner fabricportion 43R as well. As a result, a part of the inflation gas in theupstream inflation portion 47 flows out to outside the inflation portion46 from the portion where the connection is cancelled between thefront-side inner fabric portion 43F and the rear-side inner fabricportion 43R.

In regards to this aspect, in the thirty-third embodiment, thefront-side inner fabric portion 43F and the rear-side inner fabricportion 43R are connected to each other by another joining portion 156that is different from the first joining portion 54 connecting the innerend 52 of the dividing portion 50 to the front-side inner fabric portion43F. The joining portion 156 is not provided with a portion where theconnection is cancelled. Therefore, an occasion by which a part of theinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 flows out to theoutside of the inflation portion 46 from between the front-side innerfabric portion 43F and the rear-side inner fabric portion 43R is notlikely to occur.

Similarly, in the thirty-third embodiment, the front-side outer fabricportion 44F and the rear-side outer fabric portion 44R are connected toeach other by another joining portion 157 that is different from thefirst joining portion 55 connecting the outer end 53 of the dividingportion 50 to the front-side outer fabric portion 44F. The joiningportion 157 is not provided with a portion where the connection iscancelled. Therefore, an occasion by which a part of the inflation gasin the upstream inflation portion 47 flows out to the outside of theinflation portion 46 from between the front-side outer fabric portion44F and the rear-side outer fabric portion 44R is not likely to occur.

Thirty-Fourth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the thirty-fourth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 65A and 65B.

In the thirty-fourth embodiment, as a woven fabric 124, one that has agap portion 125 (opening) that is enlarged from before an occupantrestraint by an upstream inflation portion 47 is used, and a dividingportion 50 is formed by this woven fabric 124. Differing from thetwenty-sixth embodiment as above, in the woven fabric 124, a woven stateof warps 122 and wefts 123 does not change drastically (stitches are notdisplaced significantly) even if a pressure is applied, and a size ofgap portions 125 does not undergo much change. Further, a pre-restraintflowing out apparatus that causes inflation gas to start flowing outfrom the upstream inflation portion 47 before the occupant restraint bythe upstream inflation portion 47 is configured by gap portions 125.

In FIG. 65A, in order to illustrate an inner fabric portion 43 as well,a large part of an outer fabric portion 44 is illustrated in a state ofbeing cut away.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the twenty-sixthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the twenty-sixth embodimentare given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions areomitted.

In the thirty-fourth embodiment configured as above, when the inflationgas is supplied to the upstream inflation portion 47 in response to animpact from a side to a vehicle seat 12, an internal pressure of theupstream inflation portion 47 rises and the upstream inflation portion47 is deployed and inflated at a side of an occupant. The dividingportion 50 is pulled by the inner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabricportion 44 of an airbag 40, and comes to be in a tensed state. In thewoven fabric 124 that forms the dividing portion 50, the plurality ofgap portions 125 formed between pairs of adjacent warps 122 and pairs ofadjacent wefts 123 respectively function as openings. Despite beingbefore the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, theinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 starts to flow out toa downstream inflation portion 48 through the plurality of gap portions125 (openings) of the dividing portion 50. This timing of the outflow isearlier than that of cases in which the openings are closed before theoccupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47. An internalpressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 becomes low due to theoutflow of the inflation gas.

However, since the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion47 at this time is not as high as during the occupant restraint, theinflation gas passing through the gap portions 125 (openings) is notsufficiently ample. Therefore, the upstream inflation portion 47 ofwhich internal pressure has been decreased for the outflow of theinflation gas is pressed against the occupant, whereby the occupant isrestrained, and the impact from a side transmitted to the occupantthrough the body side portion 11 is reduced.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, theinternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 increases by theexternal force applied due to the restraint more than before theoccupant restraint. Therefore, the inflation gas in the upstreaminflation portion 47 starts to flow out through the gap portions 125(openings) by a larger amount than that before the occupant restraint.

The thirty-fourth embodiment achieves the following advantages.

(33) The pre-restraint flowing out apparatus is provided, and theinflation gas is caused to start flowing out from the upstream inflationportion 47 before the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47.

Therefore, by setting the outflow starting time of the inflation gas(manner of outflow) from the upstream inflation portion 47 to be beforethe occupant restraint, the internal pressure of the upstream inflationportion 47 is changed to be suitable for restraining and protecting theoccupant P, and a performance to restrain and protect the occupant P bythe airbag 40 is increased.

(34) The dividing portion 50 is formed by the woven fabric 124, which isconfigured by interlacing the warps 122 and the wefts 123 in directionsthat are orthogonal to each other. From before the occupant restraint bythe upstream inflation portion 47, in the woven fabric 124, the openingsand the pre-restraint flowing out apparatus are configured by the gapportions 125 formed between the pairs of adjacent warps 122 and thepairs of adjacent wefts 123.

Therefore, from before the occupant restraint by the upstream inflationportion 47, the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 canbe caused to start flowing to the downstream inflation portion 48through the gap portions 125. It is thus possible to cope with a case inwhich the protection performance of the occupant is desired to beincreased by increasing an internal pressure of the downstream inflationportion 48 without increasing the internal pressure of the upstreaminflation portion 47 before the occupant restraint.

Further, it is effective for a case where the restraint and protectionof the occupant are desired to be performed by causing larger amount ofinflation gas to flow out during the occupant restraint than that beforethe occupant restraint, and performing the reduction of the internalpressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 and the increase in theinternal pressure of the downstream inflation portion 48 at an earlystage.

Modifications of the Thirty-Fourth Embodiment

The thirty-fourth embodiment may be modified as follows.

The woven fabric 124 with the enlarged gap portions 125 (openings) maybe used only at a part of the dividing portion 50.

The inflation portion 46 does not necessarily need to be divided by thedividing portion 50, that is, may be configured by one chamber. In thiscase, the wall portion of the inflation portion 46 is configured by theinner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44.

However, a part of the wall portion (inner fabric portion 43 and outerfabric portion 44) is formed of a different member from the remainder ofthe wall portion. The aforementioned part is connected to the remainderof the wall portion by the first joining portion provided in theperipheral portion of the part.

Further, the woven fabric 124 with the enlarged gap portions 125(openings) is used at least a part of the inner fabric portion 43 andthe outer fabric portion 44.

Thirty-Fifth Embodiment

Next, a side airbag apparatus of the thirty-fifth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 66 to FIG. 68.

In the thirty-fifth embodiment, an inflation portion 46 is divided by adividing portion 50 into an upstream inflation portion 47 and adownstream inflation portion 48. When an airbag 40 is in a non-inflatedand deployed state, the dividing portion 50 is overlapped in a lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction) by being folded in half along afolding line 51 extending in a vertical direction (up and downdirection). The dividing portion 50 in this state is arranged in theupstream inflation portion 47 in a state in which the folding line 51 ispositioned on an upstream side of the inner end 52 and the outer end 53.

The dividing portion 50 configures a part of a wall portion of theupstream inflation portion 47. In the dividing portion 50, an opening138 formed of a laterally elongated hole extending in a lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction) in a tensed state of thedividing portion 50. The opening 138 is provided at a center portion inthe lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction), which is a centerportion in a vertical direction (up and down direction), however, it maybe provided at a section different from the above.

In the upstream inflation portion 47, a bag 139 is arranged as apre-restraint flowing out apparatus. An opening portion 140 of the bag139 is connected to the dividing portion 50 in a state in which bothside parts in a lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) of theopening 138 being exposed. This connection is performed by a pair ofjoining portions 141 provided respectively on an upper side and a lowerside of the opening 138. Of the opening 138, portions other than theside parts in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwise direction) are ina state of being lidded from an upstream inflation portion 47 by the bag139.

The configurations other than the above are similar to the thirty-fourthembodiment. Therefore, elements identical to the thirty-fourthembodiment are given the same reference numerals, and redundantdescriptions are omitted.

In the thirty-fifth embodiment configured as above, an internal pressureof the upstream inflation portion 47 is low before an occupant restraintby the upstream inflation portion 47, and the bag 139 is in a slackstate whereby it clings to the dividing portion 50. Most portions of theopening 138 are in a state of being concealed by the bag 139, and theinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 is restricted fromflowing out through the opening 138. At this time, a part of the opening138 (both side parts in the lateral direction (vehicle widthwisedirection)) is exposed from the bag 139. Therefore, despite being beforethe occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, a part ofthe inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 starts to flowout from the upstream inflation portion 47 to the downstream inflationportion 48 through this exposed portion (both side parts of the opening138). A starting time of this outflow is earlier than that in a case inwhich the opening 138 is closed before the occupant restraint by theupstream inflation portion 47.

However, since the internal pressure of the upstream inflation portion47 at this time is not as high as during the occupant restraint, theinflation gas passing through the opening 138 is not so ample.Therefore, the upstream inflation portion 47 of which internal pressurehas been decreased by the outflow of the inflation gas is pressedagainst the occupant, whereby the occupant is restrained, and the impactfrom a side transmitted to the occupant is reduced by the upstreaminflation portion 47.

Upon the occupant restraint by the upstream inflation portion 47, theinternal pressure of the upstream inflation portion 47 rises by anexternal force applied due to the restraint more than before theoccupant restraint, and the bag 139 is pushed out to outside theupstream inflation portion 47 through the opening 138. A part of theinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 passes through theopening 138, and starts to flow in the bag 139. Further, at this time,the both side parts of the opening 138 in the lateral direction (vehiclewidthwise direction) are exposed from the bag 139, and a part of theinflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 passes through thisexposed portion (both side parts of the opening 138) and starts to flowout to outside the upstream inflation portion 47 and outside the bag139.

Thus, the thirty-fifth embodiment achieves advantages as follows inaddition to the advantages of (33) as above.

(35) The bag 139 is provided in the upstream inflation portion 47 as thepre-restraint flowing out apparatus, and the opening portion 140 of thebag 139 is connected to the dividing portion 50 in the state of having apart of the opening 138 (both side parts in the lateral direction(vehicle widthwise direction)) exposed.

Therefore, the inflation gas in the upstream inflation portion 47 can becaused to flow out to the downstream inflation portion 48 through theexposed portion of the opening 138 (both side parts in the lateraldirection (vehicle widthwise direction)) from before the occupantrestraint by the upstream inflation portion 47.

Modifications of the Thirty-Fifth Embodiment

The thirty-fifth embodiment may be modified as follows.

The inflation portion 46 does not necessarily need to be divided by thedividing portion 50, that is, may be configured by one chamber. In thiscase, the wall portion of the inflation portion 46 is configured by theinner fabric portion 43 and the outer fabric portion 44.

However, a part of the wall portion (inner fabric portion 43 and outerfabric portion 44) is formed of a different member from the remainder ofthe wall portion. Further, the aforementioned part is connected to theremainder of the wall portion by the first joining portion provided inthe peripheral portion of the part. Further, the opening 138 and the bag139 are provided at either portions of the inner fabric portion 43 andthe outer fabric portion 44.

Modifications in Common to the First to Thirty-Fifth Embodiments

The first to thirty-fifth embodiments as described above may be modifiedas follows.

<As to Housing Portion 21 of Airbag Module AM>

Instead of the seat back 14 of the vehicle seat 12, a portioncorresponding to the housing portion 21 may be provided in the body sideportion 11, and the airbag module AM may be assembled therein.

<As to Inflator Assembly 30>

The inflator assembly 30 may be provided outside the airbag 40. In thiscase, the inflator 31 and the upstream inflation portion 47 (or theinflation portion 46) are coupled by a tube, and the inflation gas fromthe inflator 31 may be provided to the upstream inflation portion 47 (orthe inflation portion 46) via this tube.

<As to Inflation Portion 46>

Substantially an entirety of the airbag 40 may be configured by theinflation portion 46 as in the first to thirty-fifth embodiments,however, the airbag 40 may include as its part a non-inflation portionto which the inflation gas is not supplied and that does not inflate.

<Others>

A target of protection among the upper half of the body of the occupantby the side airbag apparatus may differ from the first to thirty-fifthembodiments as above.

The side airbag apparatus can be adapted to a side airbag apparatus of atype that protects the occupant from the impact in a case where theimpact from the side (front and rear direction of the motor vehicle) isapplied to the vehicle seat 12 in a motor vehicle in which the vehicleseat 12 is arranged in a posture by which the seat back 14 faces adirection different from the front of the motor vehicle, for example theside.

The motor vehicles to which the side airbag apparatus as above isadapted include not only private cars, but also various industrialvehicles.

The side airbag apparatus may be adapted to a side airbag apparatusinstalled in a seat of a vehicle other than motor vehicles, for example,airplanes, ships and the like.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A side airbag apparatus comprising: an airbag thatincludes an inflation portion that inflates by inflation gas supplied inresponse to an impact applied from a side to a vehicle seat, and thatdeploys toward a front of the vehicle seat at a side of the vehicleseat, wherein an opening is provided in a wall portion forming theinflation portion; and an outflow amount changing apparatus, wherein,when the inflated part of the inflation portion restrains an occupant,the outflow amount changing apparatus changes an amount of the inflationgas flowing out from the inflated part to an outflow amount that isdifferent from an outflow amount in a case in which the inflation gaspasses through only the opening.
 23. The side airbag apparatus accordingto claim 22, wherein the wall portion is configured by a dividingportion that is arranged in the inflation portion and divides at least apart of the inflation portion into an upstream inflation portion, towhich the inflation gas is supplied, and a downstream inflation portion,which is adjacent to the upstream inflation portion and to which theinflation gas is supplied via the opening, the opening is configured bya slit that is provided in the dividing portion and extends in awidthwise direction of the vehicle seat when the dividing portion comesto be in a tensed state, the outflow amount changing apparatus isconfigured by an auxiliary opening, and the auxiliary opening isconfigured by a slit provided in a section of the dividing portion thatis different from the opening, and extends in the widthwise direction ofthe vehicle seat when the dividing portion comes to be in the tensedstate.
 24. The side airbag apparatus according to claim 23, wherein atleast one of the opening and the auxiliary opening is provided as aspecific opening at a section in an up and down direction where anexternal force applied due to the occupant restraint by the upstreaminflation portion is the largest.
 25. The side airbag apparatusaccording to claim 23, wherein the opening and the auxiliary opening areprovided at sections in an up and down direction that are offset from asection where an external force applied due to the occupant restraint bythe upstream inflation portion is the largest. 26-32. (canceled)